Tag: help

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

It’s okay to ask for help

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by youssef naddam on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 31.

How many times have you not asked for help or accepted an offer of help?

I’ll go first. Too many times. More than I want to admit. Far more often than I should.

“Can I help?” “No, I’ve got it.”

“Need any help?” “Not right now.”

“Here, let me help you.” “I’m okay.”

The world is filled with people who are entirely self-sufficient and more than willing to help in any situation. Which means we’re paralyzed. We all want to help, but there is no one who needs our help. Everyone is doing just fine.

David never hesitates to cry out for help in the psalms.

Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me! (Psalm 31:2)

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eye is wasted from grief;
    my soul and my body also. (v9)

Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love! (v16)

David is a trained soldier. He’s got victories over lions, bears, Goliath and ten of thousands of Philistines under his belt. He’s definitely a number one draft pick.

And yet he cries out to God for help. He’s under attack, experiencing grief, and in distress. I believe one lesson we ought to learn from the psalms is to never, ever, be ashamed to ask for or accept help.

I know, in a culture that admires strength, independence, and fortitude, we don’t want to look weak. We don’t want to appear helpless. We want to be an asset, not a liability. We want to contribute, not be a drain on resources. We want to be strong, not weak.

Guess what? You are dependent, weak, and a liability. We all are, whether we admit it or not. We need the Lord. We need each other. We need help.

Those truths are the first step towards truly depending on, trusting in, and worshiping God. It’s good news. I don’t have to have it all together. He does.

Posted in Devotions, family, Through the Bible Devotions

Reach out sooner than later

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dave Phillips on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion” from Genesis 32.

A few months ago, I had to call our HVAC company because the air conditioning wasn’t keeping up with the hot and humid late spring weather. I did what I could. I changed out the filter. I made sure the drain line was clear. I changed the batteries in the thermostat. But I learned a long time ago that you call sooner than later, because you need someone to come out who knows what they’re doing.

By the time Jacob decides it’s time to go home, he’s got a large family and lots of sheep. He’s had eleven sons and a daughter with his two wives and their servants. He’s skillfully bred the sheep so that he ends up with most of Laban’s herd.

The next hurdle is his older brother. What if Esau is still mad after twenty years? Jacob arranges to send generous gifts ahead to smooth over the reunion.

And then Jacob prays, “Save me from the hand of my brother” (Genesis 32:11). This is the first time we read of Jacob praying. He knew God was around. He was aware of God’s covenant promises. But now he needs God’s help. Up until this point, Jacob has been able to work the system and do well. But now he’s afraid. Now his back is against the wall. “Please save me, God.”

I learned a long time ago to ask God for help sooner than later, too. Again, you need someone who knows what they’re doing. We like to think we’ve got life all figured out. But let’s be honest. We don’t.

Thankfully, we know someone who does.

Posted in Moments of grace

“Here let me help you.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The sights, sounds, and experiences of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom are even more amazing and entertaining at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas celebration. But last night I was impressed by the well-trained cast who made the fun available to the physically challenged. I witnessed three examples and know there were many more.

As we stood in a not-too-long line for the Haunted Mansion, a woman in a wheel chair was right behind me. At a certain point, a cast member asked, “We’ll stop the ride and help you if you are able to stand and get into one of the ride cars.” The woman smiled and assured her, “Yes, I’ve done this a few times.” When the ride stopped a couple of times, I knew exactly what was happening. She was getting on and off the ride.

A little later, we watched our boat approach for the Jingle Cruise (renamed for the the holidays). It stopped about twenty-five feet short of the loading area, and a lift in the boat raised a man in an electric scooter just high enough to disembark onto the dock. Once the special seat retracted, the boat pulled up and we got on board.

The last ride of the night was the Tomorrowland Speedway. As we waited for my two grandsons to start driving around the course, we watched a woman in a wheelchair scoot up close to a car. A cast member brought out a specially made ramp that enabled the woman, who just had one leg, to transfer into a car and speed off into the night.

In each of those cases, the cast never missed a beat. They knew exactly what to do, made each person feel welcome, and made the experience possible. While they did their job just like any other day, I noticed and appreciated their efforts.

I hope I remember these moments in the future, when I may not be as able to negotiate travel, amusement parks, and other activities as well as I can today. If those folks, with what I thought were limitations, can enjoy themselves, then so can I. A lot of caring people have figured out how to make life accessible for everyone, and then they make it happen.

I remember hearing someone say, “Everyone has a disability. Some you can see. Others you can’t.” Some can’t see. Others can’t speak in public. Some have trouble walking. Others have trouble remembering things. Some have lost a limb. Others can’t deal with heights.

I pray I’ll always be thankful for the blessing of someone in the airport, or on the cruise ship, or at the theme park who’s there to say, “Here, let me help you.”

Posted in Lent devotions

Here I come to save the day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotion for Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash.

And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” (Mk 15:35-36)

Those who hear Jesus speaking the words of Psalm 22, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” think he’s speaking the name of Elijah, the powerful Old Testament prophet. Will Elijah hear Jesus’ plea? Will he come to help? “Let’s watch and find out.”

Continue reading “Here I come to save the day” →