Tag Archives: help

Walk the Talk

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Social media is lying to you. Viral rants from both sides are trying to lead us to believe our world is falling apart, that evil is winning, and no one cares about anyone else any more. That is just not true and I know because I saw evidence to the contrary today.

I’m always harping on “do what is in front of you to do.” This afternoon, Mary was in front of me. Coming in off the street, Mary appeared to only need directions. We get a lot of walk ins, asking how to get to the library, the post office, or the Human Services building around the corner. I’m always willing and able to give out directions. Today, I needed to invest a little more into Mary.

Mary was homeless. She’d been recently abused by her boyfriend and dumped downtown. Because she had her two cats with her, no shelter would let her stay overnight, so she walked the city streets all night. She was tired, hungry, upset, and wanting to get back to her home town, 30 miles away. She asked to use my phone to call somebody to get her home. “No one will help me,” she said, over and over.

So what would you do? How can I talk about kindness, and gratitude, and living my best life and not do something? I made some phone calls, tried some different options, but in the end, with the help of some wonderful co-workers, we opted to get Mary an Uber ride back to her home town. Her hometown police chief was going to be on the look out for her arrival so, hopefully, she’ll have a good night’s sleep in a warm bed, and a little peace of mind. As I helped Mary up into the truck, I tucked her coat around her and looked right into her eyes. “I’ll be praying for you. God loves you,” I told her. She thanked me over and over, eyes brimming with tears. The driver took off and I went back into my beautiful, warm office, and prayed for Mary.

I learned a couple of valuable lessons today. First, people are willing to help out those in need. I had multiple co-workers ask if I needed anything (as I was dealing with Mary),  and one came through with all the resources necessary to solve Mary’s dilemma. Even more importantly, I learned I must walk the talk. Blogs are fun and fine, but words mean nothing if you don’t follow through with actions.

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Where Do You Go For Help?

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We all need help. No matter how self-sufficient we are, everyone needs a hand now and then. Well, probably more than now and then, but some of us are stubborn and wait until a crisis hits before we cry out.

“Help!”

The lyrics to the Beatles hit record from 1965 rolls through head occasionally (yes – I’m that old) “Help! I need somebody! Help! Not just anybody! Help! I know I need someone! Help!

In the everyday mundane routines of life, who do you go to for help? Are you overwhelmed with a non-stop schedule?  Frustrated by choices others have made? Worried about a health issue? Wondering if you’re doing this parenting thing right? Ever need a kind or encouraging word on a bad day? Having difficulty navigating your grief? Ever just need a big hug? YES – all of this has been me and though I try so hard to be the helper, not the “helpee,” I can’t do it alone. I am constantly in need of someone who can help me!

Psalm 121 tells me about God, who is my Someone all the time. When I’m desperate for help, He is always there. When I’m grief-stricken and cannot see through my tears, He sees me. When I’m worried about finances, He provides. He’s my Healer when I’m sick. When I can’t see a way out of the trouble, He provides a path for my feet. He lights up the way, and I follow Him out of trouble and into the light. He never sleeps, and I can never catch Him off guard. He shields me from danger, no matter what time of day or night.

Do you need help today? Are you feel overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, or feeling helpless and hopeless? Do you just need to be noticed? God sees you. He is your Guardian, your Helper.

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1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever. 

 

Psalm 121 (NLT)

 

Ask For Help

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Day 11 – Asking for help and advice makes me stronger

Maybe you can’t see this issue as one of “giving up” anything. But I choose to think of it as giving up my need to control and decide on my own. I’m not giving over my life to anyone but acknowledging that maybe, just maybe, someone else may have insights and wisdom which would benefit me. I’m a big believer in the wisdom of wisdom. Solomon fills the pages of the book of Proverbs with sayings about obtaining wisdom, choosing wisdom, listening to wisdom. For instance, Proverbs 19:20 says “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Thankfully I do have wise people around me who I listen to and learn from. My husband is my best friend and one of the wisest men I know. He is my confidante, my go-to guy when I need to vent (sorry about that), and when I need counsel. And he’s not afraid to tell me what he thinks. Most of the time. I do think I can be scary sometimes.

We’ve also got two young men who have learned the same principle. Asking for help and advice isn’t a weakness. Both have people in their lives, including their parents, who they trust to give wisdom, not just spout platitudes. For that we are very grateful.

But maybe you think, “I don’t need anyone – I know what I need to do – I’ve got enough common sense to take care of this on my own.” If that works for you every time, go for it. But I’m pretty sure that’s not the case. At one time or another, you probably have made a decision or chosen a path you wished someone had warned you about. In fact, that wise guy Solomon says “The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)

Advice from friends is okay but sometimes listening to the wisdom of men can get you into a bind. See 1 Kings 12 where Solomon’s son Rehoboam gets into some serious trouble. Verse 13 says “Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men…”  This doesn’t work out well for him and only results in the splitting of Israel into two separate kingdoms. Not everyone is capable of giving out wisdom. But I know Someone who knows all, sees all and wants to see you succeed.

Jehoshaphat (godly king) tells the evil king of Israel (in 1 Kings 22:5) to seek the counsel of the Lord before heading into battle. The Psalmist says “I lift 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) Your greatest source of wisdom will always be in the counsel of the Lord. So when you need help – ask for it. Find godly advisers, mentors and friends who you trust will give you sound counsel but in the end, trust in the wisdom which only comes from God.

Eph. 1:16-17 – I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.