“You’ve got a friend in me” so the lyrics go from a song used in Toy Story. Wonder if you’re singing the rest of that song right now, or humming it and annoying your colleagues?
We are made to be with other people. God designed us to function in community – not isolation or solitude. He made us so we work best when we depend upon other people. That corporate effort is what can make the world sing, or scream. That depends on the other people…or does it? I’ll let you ponder that one on your own!
As a family we’ve been through all sorts of times in life, but while we have been forced to face some things alone, having people to support and help is always wonderful.
We are, each one of us, utterly unique. We all have different skills and gifts and talents that we can bring to bear to the people around us. We’ve been blessed with some super lovely people over the years. But are you the sort of person that other people want to help, or not?
It’s perfectly possible to reject help without knowing it. And that can be super upsetting for willing hands and hearts.
So, let people help you! Who knows what might develop from you accepting help and letting your own inability, or even vulnerability, show? But, and perhaps even more importantly – asking for help from others can let a little sunshine in to you own life, and their life too!
Don’t ever be afraid to say you can’t help if you can’t!
One minister had to put off moving into their new manse after some helpful church members did far more harm than good through willing hands that really shouldn’t have been let loose near a paint brush: if you don’t know a hammer from a paintbrush, perhaps stick to making tea instead.
However, if you’re a professionally trained driver – like I am – then volunteering to drive the van for some people moving house will not tax you in the slightest, but could mean the world to them. It’s quite fun driving a baby truck if you’re more used to dealing with abnormal loads and driving 44 tonne trucks!
We all have skills, whether that’s making cups of tea, cheering people on, driving a van or plumbing in a washing machine. Let your skills help others – that’s exactly what Jesus did and look at what He managed to do!
And never be afraid to say no if you really can’t add value: people in distress don’t want willing people, but skilled people.
Just a thought…
Andy B
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