The Mat-Lowering Friend

“He knows when and what it is that’s plaguing me so He sends this friend to lower my mat.”

“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Mark 2:4-5 NIV 

The four friends in this story, the ones cutting the hole in the roof and lowering their friend down to Jesus, are the ones that really grab for my attention. They are the real-deal in this story. 

I have a friend that I don’t physically see often. We attend the same church but if we don’t happen to attend the same service, we don’t see each other. Our kids go to different schools therefore run around in different friend circles. And, listen, I’m in the season of life that if our kids don’t play sports together, I probably won’t see you or get to hang out. It’s just the season we’re in and I know a lot of you moms just read that and nodded your head in sameness. I know this friend is also in this season as well. This friend and I also don’t live close so we don’t run into each other during errands. We just never get to see each other. 

BUT, you know what she does on occasion when God prompts her? She’ll text me: “God put you on my heart. What can I specifically be praying for you?” And I lay it on her because it’s always perfectly timed. 

When I’m struggling, drowning in responsibilities, processing decisions, helping a kid process decisions/choices/life, how to tend to my family properly and not have mom-guilt. I mean, the list could go on. Sometimes (often) just exhaustion. 

You know. God knows. He knows when and what it is that’s plaguing me so He sends this friend to lower my mat. He sends her to remind me to get to Him. 

Let’s spend today really soaking in some questions, shall we? 

• Who are we being called to be a mat-lowering friend to? Pray and ask God to specifically put someone on your heart- by name. 

• What are some things we can do to lower others’ mats (outside of prayer)? What are their love languages?

• Do you have a friend who lowers the mat for you? Consider joining the Motherhood Meets Faith Online Community, designed just for moms who want purposed friendships, quality conversations rooted in Jesus.

Written by Abbey Parsley- Momager of 3 preteens/teens