Are you Sam, or Frodo?

Peace family, right now, do you think of yourself more as a Sam, or as a Frodo?

I know that not everyone loves Lord of the Rings as much as I do, but I’ve been thinking about Sam and Frodo’s friendship, and about how we all need those kinds of authentic relationships, even though sometimes we are afraid of getting that close to people. We all have our times when someone else needs our support and loyalty, and we also have times when we need someone else’s loyalty and support. Both types of relationship take a lot of work, especially when deep suffering is involved.

Sometimes we are Sam, assisting as someone else faces extreme difficulties. At times, we have to carry the weaker person up the hill. Like Christ, maybe we are giving sacrificially of our time or energy, or we are having to pray hard, be a listening ear, and think deeply while someone we love suffers. We pray when they can’t or don’t want to, and sometimes that’s all we can do. We do what we can to help, but many times, we can’t fix the situation. All we can do is reassure them that they aren’t alone, and trust God that He ultimately loves them more than we do. We have to trust that God will make all things new and right, and His good will still triumph. That’s hard work.

On the other hand, sometimes we are Frodo. Sometimes, we have to admit that we are suffering, that we aren’t perfect, and that we can’t do it alone. We have to reach out for help and be willing to trust others, but especially Christ. It’s humbling, but we have to let someone else carry us up the hill because we can’t do it ourselves. Again, we are like Christ, but in a different way; we  suffer and have to trust God that He is still good, that He still loves us, and that the nightmare of the soul that we are enduring is somehow part of His greater, perfect plan.  That’s very hard work!

Peace family, what relationships have you had where you took the role of Sam or Frodo? Is there someone right now who you need to reach out to, whether to support them or be supported? I just want to remind you that God loves you and is for you. You are not alone. Don’t give up! We can trust God.