Two Are Better Than One!

By Jenniffer Mann

As I sat on the sofa listening to the howling wind and prolonged interruption of the heavy  rain lashing against the windows, I resigned myself to the fact, that any lingering vestige of summer was well and truly gone . The clocks have gone back in the UK and we find ourselves settling into the pattern of dark mornings and dark nights, with much shorter hours of daylight in between.  

Easing off the sofa, I heard a Yelp from the kitchen. On entering, I found my niece trying to stem the rush of water coming from under the kitchen sink. My heart sank as I realised that my plan for a nice meal and relaxed evening was about to shelved. Breathing a heavy sigh, my husband rolled up his sleeves whilst muttering about all the clutter under the sink. Refusing all offers of assistance he set about the task of repairing the issue.

30 minutes later, t-shirt soaked he appeared from under the sink with a piece of the pipe work and drove off ,still muttering, to the local hardware store. It was another 30 minutes after he returned new pipe in hand, that I realised his plan was not working out.  Not only had he purchased the wrong part, proclaiming it “looked like the right bit” in trying to force the fix we now had water ingressing from four areas instead of one! 

It was at this point that I insisted on helping. Down on all fours, we traced the leak back to the original point of entry, systematically took apart the pipe work and within a short period of time, had everything working like new! The sense of accomplishment was palpable and we sat on the floor in a soggy heap, grinning in delight.  

As I later reflected on the events of the evening  it brought to mind the text found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

Often when this verse is quoted it’s to suggest that we are better off married, than not. I will leave you to debate the merits of that but there are very few situations in life where we don’t benefit from the input of others and the text does not limit itself to the marriage union.When we work together we develop deeper relationships, create meaningful bonds that prevent loneliness and gain perspective where it may be lost.  Whilst neither my husband or I are plumbers or have any experience in that regard, when we worked together, the problem he had been struggling with alone, was quickly resolved. 

Even if you are not a Christian, the importance of relationships is a biblical principle you likely agree with.  

A lot of us go through life, believing that we don’t need others (I used to be one of them). That we can withstand what ever trials life throws at us alone but Ecclesiastes points out that it is “better” to work with others. To be supported through difficult times.  In trying to tackle the leak alone, my husband found he had created three additional leaks! How many times do we create additional problems out of the original because we chose not to seek help? When I got down on my hands and knees too, into the thick of it, I was able to carry the burden – just as we are instructed in Galatians 6:2 

When we work with others we are not ‘overpowered’ by the situation.

We also have a better sense of purpose and in seeing and appreciating the talents of others, we gain humility. We also celebrate the wins together and share the losses too. We also fulfil our potential when working with others. It is not by accident that Jesus was accompanied by the 12 disciples throughout His ministry. In the bible story where Jesus fed the 5,000, (Matthew 14:13-21) this was a miracle He could have completed alone but instead, the 12 disciples all played a part in distributing the food. Through teamwork, the task was made easier and completed more quickly. 

Undoubtedly the week ahead will pose challenges. You may be struggling with grief, loneliness or trying to resolve a family matter. Perhaps you are tackling a problem at work, or are worried about your finances. Whatever the problem, talking it through with someone else, is likely to make things easier.  

Let’s Pray 

Father we thank you for showing us the importance of working together. Not  only so that we can be blessed, but in order that we might be a blessing to others. 

By Jenniffer Mann

As I sat on the sofa listening to the howling wind and prolonged interruption of the heavy  rain lashing against the windows, I resigned myself to the fact, that any lingering vestige of summer was well and truly gone . The clocks have gone back in the UK and we find ourselves settling into the pattern of dark mornings and dark nights, with much shorter hours of daylight in between.  

Easing off the sofa, I heard a Yelp from the kitchen. On entering, I found my niece trying to stem the rush of water coming from under the kitchen sink. My heart sank as I realised that my plan for a nice meal and relaxed evening was about to shelved.

Breathing a heavy sigh, my husband rolled up his sleeves whilst muttering about all the clutter under the sink. Refusing all offers of assistance he set about the task of repairing the issue. 30 minutes later, t-shirt soaked he appeared from under the sink with a piece of the pipe work and drove off ,still muttering, to the local hardware store. It was another 30 minutes after he returned new pipe in hand, that I realised his plan was not working out.  Not only had he purchased the wrong part, proclaiming it “looked like the right bit” in trying to force the fix we now had water ingressing from four areas instead of one! 

It was at this point that I insisted on helping. Down on all fours, we traced the leak back to the original point of entry, systematically took apart the pipe work and within a short period of time, had everything working like new! The sense of accomplishment was palpable and we sat on the floor in a soggy heap, grinning in delight.  

As I later reflected on the events of the evening  it brought to mind the text found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

Often when this verse is quoted it’s to suggest that we are better off married, than not. I will leave you to debate the merits of that but there are very few situations in life where we don’t benefit from the input of others and the text does not limit itself to the marriage union.

When we work together we develop deeper relationships, create meaningful bonds that prevent loneliness and gain perspective where it may be lost.  Whilst neither my husband or I are plumbers or have any experience in that regard, when we worked together, the problem he had been struggling with alone, was quickly resolved. 

Even if you are not a Christian, the importance of relationships is a biblical principle you likely agree with.  

A lot of us go through life, believing that we don’t need others (I used to be one of them). That we can withstand what ever trials life throws at us alone but Ecclesiastes points out that it is “better” to work with others. To be supported through difficult times.  In trying to tackle the leak alone, my husband found he had created three additional leaks! How many times do we create additional problems out of the original because we chose not to seek help? When I got down on my hands and knees too, into the thick of it, I was able to carry the burden – just as we are instructed in Galatians 6:2 

When we work with others we are not ‘overpowered’ by the situation.

We also have a better sense of purpose and in seeing and appreciating the talents of others, we gain humility. We also celebrate the wins together and share the losses too. We also fulfil our potential when working with others. 

It is not by accident that Jesus was accompanied by the 12 disciples throughout His ministry. In the bible story where Jesus fed the 5,000, (Matthew 14:13-21) this was a miracle He could have completed alone but instead, the 12 disciples all played a part in distributing the food. Through teamwork, the task was made easier and completed more quickly. 

Undoubtedly the week ahead will pose challenges. You may be struggling with grief, loneliness or trying to resolve a family matter. Perhaps you are tackling a problem at work, or are worried about your finances. Whatever the problem, talking it through with someone else, is likely to make things easier.  

Let’s Pray 

Father we thank you for showing us the importance of working together. Not  only so that we can be blessed, but in order that we might be a blessing to others.