Our desire for help is always heard, and we are always loved.
I am reminded of a day when I was running errands and a young woman came to mind. After her name had run through me several times I got the picture.
I drove up to her house and knocked on her door.
She was shaken to see me on the threshold. Turns out she had fallen off the wagon, and was afraid her child may be taken from her. She knew I was not social services, and her shoulders relaxed somewhat.
I had wanted to take her out for coffee, but she was in no shape to go. However, I realized I would be a miss if I didn’t take the opportunity to pray, and ask God for his help.
She wanted God’s help and we prayed, but when our prayer time was over something very important dawned on me. My spiritual antennae were tuning in. The prayer was the first step, there was another step that needed to be taken.
I asked very cautiously if the object of her bondage was still in her house, and she replied “yes”. I offered to take it out and get rid of it, or help her pour it down the drain.
Her reply was an adamant “no”.
Summoning my courage and leaning on the Lord, I explained to her that we had just asked God for help. Should we not now, take a step of obedience and remove temptation from the premises?
She was furious with me, and asked me to leave.
With great sadness I got back into my car, and realized I had been given the privilege to learn a valuable life lesson, or two or three.
If we are going to ask Jesus for help, we had better be prepared to take the help he offers.
How many times had I asked Jesus for help, and sent the help away?
Sometimes we don’t recognize his help for what it is, but more often times than not, if we are to be painfully honest with ourselves
[clickandtweet handle=”” hashtag=”” related=”” layout=”” position=””][/clickandtweet][clickandtweet handle=”” hashtag=”” related=”” layout=”” position=””]Help from God is not reliant on His giving it, but dependent on us receiving it[/clickandtweet].
The most valuable lesson I learned that day was one of love. My friend had fallen off the wagon, and though I was terribly saddened about her circumstance I knew I still loved her, and in that moment I saw the way God sees me and my mistakes, and loves me still.
Mercy, mercy – me.