Lean On Me

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow

But if we are wise
We know that there's
Always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things
You need to borrow

For no one can fill
Those of your needs
That you won't let show

You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem
That you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother
When you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on

I just might have a problem
That you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load
You have to bear
That you can't carry

I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me


In high school, my best friend Jennifer wrote a few of the lyrics to “Lean On Me” in my yearbook. At the time, the version we heard most was by Club Nouveau, but the words are pretty much the same. There is a give and take to friendship, a give and take to life, that is summed up here.

Sometimes I am strong.

Sometimes you are stronger.

Sometimes the person from whom we get the greatest strength, needs a little bit more.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on.

There’s an expectation in friendship that it’s not one-way. Sometimes we lean together, bracing our weaknesses on each other so that we grieve or struggle or rest with each other. Sometimes I fall down, and I am picked back up by someone who has more strength at that time. Sometimes I see that you are falling, or struggling, or simply not as strong as usual, and I help.

Sometimes we are carried along by our friends’ prayers.

I am so grateful for what I have learned from my friends. In times of great change, there is even more give-and-take as we adjust. Sometimes I haven’t even realized that I am struggling, until the offer of help makes me see that this load does not have to be borne alone. I’ve had moments where I was exceedingly blessed to be able to be that support.

So thank you, friends of mine. I know there will be times I will need to rest on you. And I am so incredibly blessed to be able to be here for you, when you need me.

But if we are wise
We know that there's
Always tomorrow


Who do YOU lean on? Who matters most when the chips are down?