Door, Tinker, Jingle.  We played TriBond last night. The object is to figure out what each threesome has in common. Midway thru the game, it was Alan’s turn, and this was his question. He went totally blank. We tried everything to help him figure out the answer, short of telling him. Nothing worked. Finally we were working through it one last time, “Door…, Tinker… Jingle… ?” Rachel raised her head and said “Bells.”  Jingle Bells is now the new synonym for ‘Duh!’ in our house.

And that’s how it is with the problems and questions we face. Sometimes the answers just won’t come. Sometimes the question doesn’t even make sense. No matter how we reframe things or cycle through the possibilities, nothing clicks.

Thankfully God surrounds us with brothers and sisters to give us perspective, wisdom and consolation when we can’t come up with an answer. I did a post recently on what to look for when seeking good counsel. Additionally, many instructions about how to function as the body of Christ have to deal with how we help, respond to and uplift our fellow believers.

Half the battle is simply making ourselves available and a willingness to get involved. Therefore, comfort [or encourage] each other and edify [build up] one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Who knows? You may have the very answer someone is looking for. Jingle Bells.