Pit jumper: friend who will jump into your pit with you and care for you
Get in the pit.
One of my favorite friends had an affair, meaning she cheated on her husband. While others turned their backs on her–because they didn’t want to be associated with her mess (or whatever their reasons were)–I jumped in that damn pit with her and prayed with her and reminded her of who she is and whose she is.
We need to be pit jumpers, because we need each other. We need to love one another, boldy, because there are enough people trying to tear us down out there. Our friends should be the ones who lift us up. And guess what, if you are a pit jumper, your friends will more than likely jump into your pit with you one day! And don’t pretend like you won’t fall into a pit, eventually.
What happens in the pit stays in the pit. Right? When you have a dear friend in the pit, they need a safe space to express what is going on in their life without worrying that you are going to turn and gossip about them. Pit jumpers are experts at creating safety by not gossiping, rather bringing everything to the Lord. Petitioning on their behalf. They aren’t turning and telling people that they have the inside scoop.
Pit jumpers aren’t controlling. They don’t try and push their friend out of the pit. They are simply space holders. They hold hands with their friend and walk with them in the pit until one day you realize God has moved you out of the pit. Often times we want to rush people through their grief or pain because it’s uncomfortable. Pit jumpers just hang tight in the uncomfortableness and never tire of reminding their friend how loved they are.
I found myself in a bit of a pit this year, and holy cow… that pit is way more manageable when you have a tribe of people who jump in the pit with you. A tribe who will fight to remind you how loved you are, and whose you are. I am blessed beyond measure to have my pit jumpers… and I’m committed to being one.
Go ahead, hop in a pit… It’s worth it.