Assistance

Assistance

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

I TOSSED AND TURNED all night long. We’d had to make a pretty heavy parenting decision, and already I was afraid I’d made the wrong choice. I couldn’t sleep, convinced I was going to mess up my kids and they’d never recover.

My husband finally rolled over and looked at me. “Honey,” he said, “we will figure this out together. You are not alone. We’re in this together.” And tears fell as his words hit to the heart of my mom guilt. I was feeling like I had to make these big decisions alone. With no input or assistance from others or even from God. I hugged Kyle as I tried to remind myself, once again, that the weight of these decisions did not rest solely on me. There were others around me who could help carry the burden with me.

But as I thought about my response the next day, I wondered, When did I start to believe that I had to manage or take care of everything alone without any assistance from others? And to be honest, I’m still not sure of the answer, but I am trying to change the way I think and behave to allow others to help me when I need it.

Many of us have grown up in a society where independence is highly valued. And although in many ways this is not a bad thing, sometimes we can be too independent. We can carry burdens alone, not wanting to ask for assistance or bother others. We forget to pray and ask God for help. But the reality is, we need wisdom from God and support from other people. It’s too hard when we feel completely alone. We were made to accept assistance at times from others, and to offer it when we see someone else struggling. We are so much more successful when we mutually support one another.

Lord, help me to ask for assistance from others when I need it, and help me to offer assistance to those I see who are struggling. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: What area of your life have you been trying to manage alone? Who could you ask for assistance?