“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)
Last week I made a trip to one of my favorite stores, IKEA. We go about once a year or so, and had made a trip, a twenty-minute drive, the week before. But I had a rug to exchange and wanted to go without my son, who quickly had become bored. It was my first trip down “south” on the freeway with my new car and I was feeling confident. I could easily see my car’s blind spot with the special mirrors and I felt free!
As I went to look at lampshades, however, I backed up by a pallet on the ground and flailed in the air in slow motion before falling down on it. I had to sit there about five minutes before someone noticed me. I asked the woman if her husband could help me up. I told him where to grasp my arm, and I said, “I will count, 1, 2, 3 and pull on 3 no matter how much pain I seem to be in.” He was glad to help and I told him he would have a good story to tell later as he and his wife walked away.
I limped through the rest of the store, determined to not let the pain ruin my trip and I left with a rolled up rug that was 6 feet long. As I got to the parking lot a young man approached me and asked if I needed help. As he sat the seat down to fit the rug through the car, I realized he was not an employee. “Ma’am,” he said, “I believe in working for every dime I earn. It goes for food and clothes and my mama. I don’t drink or do no drugs or nothin’” I handed him the smallest bill I had, a generous amount, and he was pleasantly surprised.
I said, “I have rheumatoid arthritis and I had no idea how I was going to get that into the car, but I am stubborn and I figured God would work it out and He sent me you.” He smiled and said, “It is refreshing to hear a woman say she is stubborn.” I have prayed for him more than once since then, as he continues to be on my mind.
The scripture above tells us to be strong, for our work will be rewarded. But sometimes we are strong by admitting just how weak we really are. We need help. Rather than worrying about how I would get through the store and get my purchases into the car, I assumed God would send me the help I needed. But I certainly didn’t predict it would be to help me up off the floor!
I hope that this little outing was rewarding–not because I got my rug (which I do love!), but because I was able to tell three people that God has sent them specifically to me that day in my time of need. And it was quite obvious that I needed them! Don’t be afraid to allow your weaknesses to show; allowing someone to help you may bless them more than you ever could through your strengths.
Prayer: Lord, so often I don’t want to ask for help. “I should be able to do that” I tell myself. Or “If I am able to do such and such, I can’t ask for help on that other task. What would people think?” Allow me to practice asking for help so that You can shine through the cracks in my life.
About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do you have a difficult time asking for help when living with our chronic, maybe invisible, illness? How may others be blessed by you admitting you sometimes need help? hint: Sometimes it is easier to practice first on someone you don’t know!
I loved reading your story about the helpful man and what God taught you through it. You are such an encourager, Lisa. Thank you.
When I was having a lot of trouble with seizures happening all the time a few years ago, I would often wind up on the floor everywhere I went. Part of that routine was resting for however long it would take until I felt steady enough to try getting to my feet. It did teach me quite a bit about people – most are afraid to do anything, but there are some individuals, like that man that helped you out, that rise to the occasion and are very nice to have around. I am stubborn, too – I still have problems acknowledging that there is this part of me that is weak and does not respond well to almost any stimuli – but I had to have a nurse holler at me when I was her patient once and have her tell me I ought to notice where I was and that I shouldn’t be trying to take her job away from her. We ended up making a silly joke out of the whole thing, but it did remind me that I was the patient, that they weren’t just bringing me breakfast in bed every morning because I was on vacation, that I was not going to ever be in control of the whole situation, and to let God be the one in control.
A friend sent me your site. Thank you for sharing.
I was a missionary with my husband and two children for 27 years…in the Dominican Republic and Spain. When we returned to the states, I taught first grade in Spanish in publc school for 10 years. Then I found I had Multiple Myeloma, had a stem cell trahsplant at City of Hope…and have been in remission for five years…and I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which upset me more than the MM…today I feel sick to my stomach and I keep prayng I will feel better soon. I often feel useless…and “down”.
So, thank you again for your site…and sharing I will keep reading and learning.
Lovingly, Pat
Pat, I am so sorry for what you are going though, Yes, we react differently to different diagnoses and also due to what “season” we are in our life. I know it is a bug detour, but give it time and allow yourself to grief just like you would any loss. I hope being here and getting the daily devotions helps too. It is always nice to be surrounded by others who understand and you don’t have to explain it ll every time you have a conversation.
Your devotions are so encouraging & a great reminder for me……who loves to be in control still, even though it’s not possible!! Thanks Lisa…..what a gift those people were for you. PTL. Lotsoluv Kerryn