Sara Kobak   (I was inspired to write this after reading a recent Upper Room entry.)

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it...now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.  I Corinthians 12:26-27 (NIV)

Just before Christmas my 19 month old great-niece contracted a bacterial infection.  My brother sent me an email asking for prayers for her.  I sent out a request to the thirty members of Sharon's prayer chain.  We became a part of an army of prayer warriors.

During the three days in which Cameron's body fought the terrible invader, I was amazed by the response from across the country on her mother's Facebook page .  Friends, family, and many strangers posted prayers and words of comfort for this young family.

Even though I was miles away, I felt a part of the body of Christ as never before.  Something I had only felt within my own church family.

Sadly, Cameron could not defeat the infection.  But the overwhelming support from the body of believers helped then and continues to lift my nephew and his wife.

They will welcome a new child in March, who, too, will become a part of the body of Christ.

[Note: A healthy baby joined the family.]

Dear Heavenly Father,  You are always there to support us in times of trouble.  Please help us to be the body of Christ: to listen to and comfort those who are hurting.  Amen