I Need Your Help to Ask for Help
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
ME: Jesus, what’s wrong with my brain? I get up out of my chair to get coffee, then I walk by the litter box that stinks, so I stop to clean it out. I take the used litter to the big can outside and see that my new little garden has some bug activity, so I dust it with a pet-friendly chemical. I turn and see that the deer ate the top of my geraniums and my marigolds. I come in and go back to my desk—without coffee. I forgot what I originally went to get. Is my brain not working like it should?
JESUS: Your neurons and protons are functioning perfectly. Your focus is not in good shape. We need to work on that.
ME: That’s good! I’ve been thinking my thoughts are getting mushy in my old age.
JESUS: Well, relax my child, you are fine. Perhaps just a little too busy these days.
ME: I am supposed to be retired but I seem to work harder now that I did when I was in my 50s.
JESUS: We can fix any situation together.
ME: I do not like to ask for help from anyone…but let’s get started. Maybe I can help others…
JESUS: …Wait! Let’s get you back on the right path first—My path. Then we can consider the idea about assisting others.
ME: Okay! I get it.
JESUS: Really? When you are on overload, you wall Me out.
ME: I don’t mean to do that. If I’m preparing to do something challenging, I usually take time to ask for Your help. But when I do everyday tasks, I tend to dive in unassisted, acting as if I can handle those things alone.
JESUS: Of this, I am well aware.
ME: Is it better to approach everything in humble dependence on You?
JESUS: That is a novel idea! Whenever you’re feeling tempted to just dive in, you need to stop and turn to Me—asking Me to show you the way forward.
ME: So, if I wait in Your loving Presence, I can expect to hear You speak these words of assurance: “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.”
JESUS: Yes, that is a great place to start. And, as always, I’ll be right here waiting for you.
Mo Johnston with Sarah Young