The Word of the Week - Lean On Me

 When I was young I used to hear this song “Lean on me by Bill Withers” upon the radio. It would always seem to play when I was feeling down, giving me a modicum of comfort even if fleeting.  Now that I am older and I can really appreciate the message of the song, I still struggled with how to practically apply its notion, so that I could rely upon a strength greater than my own in the times when I was weak.  An excerpt of its lyrics are as follows:

Sometimes in our lives 
We all have pain 
We all have sorrow 
But if we are wise 
We know that there's always tomorrow 

Lean on me, when you're not strong 
And I'll be your friend 
I'll help you carry on 
For it won't be long 
'Til I'm gonna need 
Somebody to lean on

©Bill Withers

So what does it mean?  Whether you believe it or not, there is a  greater power contained within each and every one of us that comes from our Creator, whom of which, goes by whatever name you feel comfortable giving it.  The song calls for you to “lean on me when you’re not strong.”  How many of you have felt that some days, you just do not have the strength to carry on, that this burden, a creation of our own thoughts, weighs down upon you so heavily  it’s as if you literally cannot breathe?  So how do you tap into this strength, how do you lift the weight that pulls you down?

Our heartfelt tears carry upon it, the soothing balm of the spirit within; it is at this lowest point that we are most open to receive the message of love; the strongest power in the universe with which to heal our wounds.  In this supplication, you literally ASK for the strength within to step forward, then YOU move out of the way, let go of control and allow that force within to lead.

Once you learn to loosen the grip that you have on your life; once you learn that your way of thinking no longer serves you; once you learn that life will keep beating the hell out of you until you submit to that higher power within, you will always feel pain.

Just for today, let the words of the song guide you to the “ME” within.  Lean on ME, when you’re not strong and I will be your friend!  It may just turn out to be the BEST friend that you will ever need.

Have a blessed weekend.