The older I get the more I believe that asking for help are signs of strength and maturity. I used to think they were signs of weakness, but I’m changing my mind. It’s good that we learn to do things for ourselves….I can’t imagine someone brushing my teeth or tying my shoes everyday!
I believe asking for help is a sign of maturity because we finally get it. The “bulb” has officially come on…we know we can’t figure out all of life’s problems by ourselves. Help is a good thing. This following article really hit home with me when I read it. I hope it has the same effect on you.
“I was parked in front of the mall, wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes and no money.
There are times when you feel generous, and then there are other times when you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered” times. “I hope he doesn’t ask me for any money,” I thought to myself.
He didn’t.
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop, but he didn’t look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said. He was ragged, but he had an air of dignity around him.
I said, “Thanks,” and continued wiping off my car.
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened, something inside me said, “Ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that he would say, “Yes.”
“Do you need any help?” I asked.
He answered in three simple words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing from this man but an outstretched, grimy hand. His answer took me completely by surprise. “Don’t we all?” he said.
I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words shook me to the core. “Don’t we all?”
“Don’t we all?” Those words really hit me too. No matter who you are, how accomplished you may be, how much you may have, we all need help. As people of faith we believe our help comes from God. I think the Psalmist had it right…..”I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
I know I need help. I know some of you believe I need help! That’s okay….like the Psalmists, my help comes from the LORD. I hope you can be honest enough to admit that you need help and that you know where your help comes from and who is giving it.
Frank
