What Does "Supportive" Mean?

As we all know, I watch too much television. I hate that, but were it not for "the boob tube", my life would be very dull, indeed. At least I try to watch programming that keeps my brain engaged. (That's not saying much!)

Today, the Dr. Phil Show was all about a 16-year-old girl who was pregnant, and the pregnancy is causing problems within the whole family because the girl's stepfather thinks she should give the baby up for adoption. The girl refuses. The mother, of course, just wants to be "supportive" of her daughter.

Then, of course, I watch such brainy shows as "Keeping Up With the Kardashians". I am actually somewhat fascinated by that family because they are rich and famous but have the same problems as most other families--with the twist that they seem to hold family in high regard and try to be "supportive" of one another, no matter what.

So now I guess I am asking what it means to be supportive. Does it mean that you stand by a person regardless of how stupid and/or self-destructive he/she is being? Does it mean that you support him/her, but with limits? When does being supportive become enabling a person to continue on a path that will negatively affect his/her life and that of others? Does it mean that you hold hands with the person as long as he/she respects you and your own situation? I wish I knew!

I think I have come to the conclusion that I can support just about anyone even in tough situations as long as I know that the lives of other people aren't being trashed in the process. I mean, if someone I loved decided to end it all, I certainly would NOT be supportive by standing aside and letting it happen. Those situations sometimes start with "If you love me, you will let me...blah, blah"...to which I would respond, "If you love ME, you would not put me in this position." (Hindsight is better than foresight. There are a number of times when I wish I'd had the guts to say that and make it stick.) There is NOTHING in the Bible about God not giving us more than we can bear. That is common theology and is a misquote of I Corinthians 10:13.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I am preparing for the vacation of a lifetime. Flying to CA with my grandchildren in a week or two, then trekking back to the Midwest by vehicle via all of the famous sites along the way, from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, and other breathtaking sights. I've been through the West several times in my life, and I love it. (I think I was a pioneer woman in a past life.) Still, there are places I have never seen. Going to get it done this time!! Megan has things booked. We won't sleep fancy and we won't eat fancy, but we will attempt to go to as many places along the way as we can. A raft trip down the Colorado River. A rodeo in Cody, WY. Hope to see some wildlife and beautiful scenery. Yee-haw!