Reach Out!

“Why is being a mom so hard? Could use a little prayer...”  This is a portion of a text sent to me from a friend a couple weeks ago.  It may sound strange, but I felt blessed to receive it.  I wasn’t happy she was struggling, my heart hurt for her and I certainly prayed, but I was happy she had reached out.

My friend knew she was up against something that she could not battle on her own; she realized her need and asked me to come alongside her and talk to God.  What a beautiful thing to do with a fellow sister in faith. 

I want you to think about this from both sides today.  I want to encourage you to reach out to others for help and I want you to reach out to help others, even before they ask for it.  Are you doing either of these well?   As Paul says in Galatians 6:2, we need to, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

First, asking for help.  When we reach out for help from others (whether by phone, text, email, or in person) we are making it plain that we cannot do this life on our own.  Unless you are Wonder Woman (and you are NOT no matter how many times you see the movie) you really do need help “doing life”.  We were created with a specially designed need for God.  We were not created to be independent, that is fictional and don’t believe any self-help book or blog that tells you otherwise.  Jesus was serious when he said, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

If in doubt, ask these questions: Can you make your heart beat?  Can you make your toddler (or teenager) listen to reason?  Can you change your husband’s habits?  I didn’t think so.  You NEED God.  So get over thinking you’ve got everything covered, you aren’t fooling anyone.  Reach out for help when you need it.  Allow a sister to join you as you go before the Lord in prayer.

Here is the cool part that we often miss: admitting your need brings glory to God!  God designed us to depend on him, depending on him brings him glory as it points to him as being the only source of all good things (James 1:17).  Display your full trust in God by asking for prayer.  Know that when you reach out for help you are not reaching out for a human hand but for God’s hand.  He is the one you need assistance from.  

Let’s go to the flip side now.  How often do you reach out to others, offering prayer for their needs?  Do you realize that everyone around you is struggling with something?  Everyone.  Most could give you a long list.  Once again, there are no perfect people (even if they act like they are).  God uses need to push us toward him.  It is a graceful thing and opens up great opportunities for us to love one another.  Be the one who approaches others to ask how you can be praying for them. 

This also brings God glory as he uses his children as instruments of kindness and love.  We do this not because we are so nice, but because our God is so wonderful and we know he has exactly what every person needs.
Ladies, I challenge you to do this today.  Reach out and offer prayer to someone God places on your heart.  And then really pray for them.  If you need prayer today, no matter what it is for, I encourage you to reach out and ask others to pray for you.  Allow a fellow sister to be a part of this blessing of going before the Father. 

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