When I first started college, a number of us were taken aside by one of the staff and told about one of our fellow students. She was, it seems, terrified of stairs. Since the college’s one lift was prone to be out of order, this was a problem. Those of us let in on the issue were advised that if we should happen across her near the stair well, we should engage her in conversation. Doing so would enable her to move gently up or down the stairs. If we placed her between us and the walls she could overcome her fear for the time taken to get to the floor she needed. Now I describe myself as a pretty poor conversationalist. Indeed perhaps conversation is to me my terrifying staircase, and I often feel sorry for the poor stranger sat next to me at a dinner party. Yet given a purpose, such as helping a fellow creature get through a difficulty of their own, I seem to be able to cope. Perhaps purpose is what I need to have walk between me and the chasm of chit-chat. At any rate, how wonderful it seems to me that our weaknesses may be enablers for others. That surely should help us to recognize the many ways we may go forth to love and serve the Lord in the name of Christ, Amen.
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