“Help, Lord!” So He puts me – a procrastinator – in this Body‚Ķ
Physically, if I stump my right big toe, the nerves message: “Pain!” The right leg raises the foot, the left leg supports my weight, the left hand grabs my toe, the mouth flies open, and the larynx shouts, “OW!” It all works together very well.
The body of Christ is similar. When there is pain – say, a death- we all mourn, different folks bring food, run errands, babysit children, counsel. We pitch in together for weddings, moves, potlucks, each doing what she can. It is a privilege to pray for, assist, and receive help from each other.
In doing these things we fulfill the law of Christ to “Bear one another’s burdens.” For one to bear, another must share. When we let go of pride and benefit from help, both giver and receiver are blessed.
I recently thought of help like this: “Hands-UP Encouragement from Loving People” (prayer) and “Hands-ON Encouragement from Loving People” (working with me). H.E.L.P.
I need to ask for both. Friends are praying for me with the workroom cleanout. (I hope you are!) I also need hands ON help, so I asked a friend who is super good at getting rid of things to come over and help me make decisions about books and papers. (I’m brave.) Her perspective enabled me to let go of more items than I’d anticipated! Yea!
I would not expect my elbow to shout “Ow!” Neither would I ask a fellow packrat to help me clean out. My friend who came over is wired for cleanout. She is better able than I am to evaluate what I should keep. She graciously gave me a few hours of her time to help me walk free. Thank you, friend!
Maybe a friend could keep your children one afternoon for you to do a closet cleanout or cook freezer meals. You could return the favor. Maybe a friend who likes to paint would be willing to help you freshen a bedroom. Could you cook her a couple of meals or take her carpool days? The Lord helps with creativity so we should jump in and benefit from being in this wonderful body of sisters. It all works together very well.
Who might you call to help you? How might you help another?
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