First Baptist Church of Herndon

Lean On Me

Linda Soller | May 04, 2020

This is the first of my May Inspiration is Contagious series. I figure the longer this pandemic drags on the more we need inspiration and some good news. Hang in there with me as I try to provide both. Key word - “try”. 

I just happened upon a video on msn.com called “Some Good News” with John Krasinski. The video I watched was about food and cooking (only 15 minutes long). This episode focused on food and the restaurant industry hard hit by the pandemic.  Apparently, John has some regular segments (I plan to track down other episodes) and those segments came first. They also made me smile! But then, with the help of some famous chefs and entertainment personalities, recipes sent in by viewers were cooked up by the professionals. It was great fun for contributors and chefs alike. At the end of the show, to sign off, there was a clip of three people out on their balconies singing, “Lean on Me”.  The song was released in 1972 by Bill Withers and recorded later by many. Bill wrote it earlier in his life and said it was based on his childhood in West Virginia. He said people took care of their neighbors in difficult times. I particularly like the beginning of the song. “Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow, but if we are wise, we know that there’s always tomorrow.” Next comes the familiar chorus – lean on me...  Such an inspiration. Out of his hard childhood came words that still encourage, support, inspire, and help us cope. I know I felt better hearing the song.  Inspiration is contagious. Google the words to the song, you won’t be disappointed. 

Within our own church an idea was born. How can we feed people and help small businesses so fewer jobs are lost? The result – Herndoncares.org.  Take an idea, add prayers, pile on lots of communication, and top with a generous layer of volunteers. This is a recipe for success. How inspired!

Inspiration is contagious – Pass it on!  Share this blog with someone who needs to smile. :o) Linda