If you are joining me from Jill Savage’s blog today, Welcome!! I hope you’ll join me on a regular basis for some extra-added encouragement to your day. Even better, I hope you’ll register for our summer online Bible study discussing the book SEEK:A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God, which begins Monday, June 23rd. Online registration begins June 9th so stay tuned for details on how to register!
But for today, I hope the latest blog gives you the encouragement your soul needs now…
“Hey Gang! I could use some help!”
Juggling overfilled bags of food, I yell (nicely, I hope. I’ll have to ask my family later…) these words virtually every time I arrive home after grocery shopping—assuming, of course, my hubby and/or one of the kids is home.
I don’t whisper these words. I don’t mumble them.
I yell them.
Why?
I really want help.
This morning the words Jesus spoke in John 14 seemed to leap off the page as I read them:
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17)
In my younger days I was often embarrassed to admit how much I needed help. I felt cultural pressure to be the perfect mom and the loving wife; make delicious, nutritious meals the kids actually liked; decorate a home that looked like a magazine cover; be the super-spiritual, ever-patient, always kind neighbor next door; use my gifts and talents to fulfill my potential, while helping my family members fulfill there’s, too. All this, without looking as if I’d expended any effort or asked for help.
Gosh, it’s exhausting trying to do everything all on our own, isn’t it?
Jesus knows.
That’s why he told us He would give us His Holy Spirit “to help you”.
The funny thing is, sometimes I don’t ask for His help. Oh sure, I ask for God’s help for the big stuff. The crisis kind of stuff. But for the day-today, routine things? Sometimes, not so much. Instead I revert back to thinking I’m supposed to conquer the challenges of daily life on my own, almost like juggling bags of issues rather than bags of groceries. How sad, how short-sighted, to have the God of the universe tell me He’s given me His Spirit to help me, then live without His help.
Could you use a little help today?
Maybe you need help parenting a difficult child.
Maybe you need help in a lifeless marriage.
Maybe you need help to heal a broken or confused heart.
Maybe you need help figuring out what next step to take.
Maybe you need help finding God.
Maybe you need help just to get through today.
God knows.
And He cares. More than you know.
He wants to help you. He’s there to help you. He’s given you the Holy Spirit to help you. Today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.
You can’t do everything on your own. You weren’t meant to. Why don’t you pause right now and ask God for what He’s already promised to give you?
His help.
Lord,
Thank you that you know I need help even before I know it. Thank you that you don’t expect me to live my life apart from your help and that you provide the help I so desperately need. Help me today with __________________________________________. Thank you that I can ask for your help as often as I need it and that you will always give it. Amen.
Donna speaks to thousands of women all over the country. Find out when Donna will be in your area, click here.
To order your copy of SEEK for the online Bible study beginning June 23rd, click here.
