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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Asking For A Hand To Help
May 2, 2007
I cut myself shaving this morning. I was trying to do it by myself. I
should have known better. I should have asked for help. Let me explain. I
had to shave using my left hand. For the last two days I have had to do
everything with one hand from combing my hair to doing up my tie. On
Monday night I had an accident and sliced open my right hand.
Subsequently I made a trip to the Backus Hospital where I received six
stitches.
I am not really complaining. I know my hand will heal up and I will be
back to normal soon. I couldn't help thinking about the people who have to
live with permanent disabilities though. I am told that we all have a
tremendous ability to adapt and make the changes needed to survive. I
noticed that in just two days I had learned to do a few things differently.
In order to compensate for what I couldn't do, I changed the way I
approached the various tasks I am faced with every day.
For example, I turned the ironing board around so I could use my other
hand to iron my shirt. I put my wallet in my left back pocket instead of the
right so I could reach it with my good hand. I moved the mouse on the
computer to the left side for the same reason. I wore a pair of shoes that I
could slip on without having to tie them and I left the cap off the
toothpaste. Well, I always leave the cap off the toothpaste but now I have
an excuse.
Flexibility is great and it is a gift that comes out of our trials and
difficulties. We often find that we have more strength and a greater
resourcefulness than we knew we had. When we successfully come
through these trying times we feel that we can do anything. Then we cut
ourselves shaving. Or perhaps we fall into a pattern of total self reliance
that actually hinders us from moving ahead.
I know a lot of people who face great challenges as if they had one hand
tied behind their backs. They struggle with the pain of divorce, the
embarrassment of financial reversals, the grief that comes with the death
of a loved one, the shock of a medical diagnosis and walk that lonely road
thinking that they have to bear the burden all by themselves. They end up
even more discouraged and feeling as if no one cares and their problems
will never end.
Well, here is the good news. You don't have to do it alone. God wants to
give you a hand. You don't have to struggle through as though you only
have one good hand. God will be there to lift you up and carry you
through. That's why the apostle Paul was able to write, "You can do all
things through Him who strengthens you." He later adds, that "in Christ we
are more than conquerors," suggesting that we can overcome any obstacle
if we let God help.
So if you have something that is weighing you down and stopping you
from doing what you need to do, don't hesitate to ask for help. Call a
friend. Or if the problem seems too big, call on God. You will find that
your problems will be easier to face and less challenging to get over.
God bless. See you in Church. Cal
May 2, 2007
I cut myself shaving this morning. I was trying to do it by myself. I
should have known better. I should have asked for help. Let me explain. I
had to shave using my left hand. For the last two days I have had to do
everything with one hand from combing my hair to doing up my tie. On
Monday night I had an accident and sliced open my right hand.
Subsequently I made a trip to the Backus Hospital where I received six
stitches.
I am not really complaining. I know my hand will heal up and I will be
back to normal soon. I couldn't help thinking about the people who have to
live with permanent disabilities though. I am told that we all have a
tremendous ability to adapt and make the changes needed to survive. I
noticed that in just two days I had learned to do a few things differently.
In order to compensate for what I couldn't do, I changed the way I
approached the various tasks I am faced with every day.
For example, I turned the ironing board around so I could use my other
hand to iron my shirt. I put my wallet in my left back pocket instead of the
right so I could reach it with my good hand. I moved the mouse on the
computer to the left side for the same reason. I wore a pair of shoes that I
could slip on without having to tie them and I left the cap off the
toothpaste. Well, I always leave the cap off the toothpaste but now I have
an excuse.
Flexibility is great and it is a gift that comes out of our trials and
difficulties. We often find that we have more strength and a greater
resourcefulness than we knew we had. When we successfully come
through these trying times we feel that we can do anything. Then we cut
ourselves shaving. Or perhaps we fall into a pattern of total self reliance
that actually hinders us from moving ahead.
I know a lot of people who face great challenges as if they had one hand
tied behind their backs. They struggle with the pain of divorce, the
embarrassment of financial reversals, the grief that comes with the death
of a loved one, the shock of a medical diagnosis and walk that lonely road
thinking that they have to bear the burden all by themselves. They end up
even more discouraged and feeling as if no one cares and their problems
will never end.
Well, here is the good news. You don't have to do it alone. God wants to
give you a hand. You don't have to struggle through as though you only
have one good hand. God will be there to lift you up and carry you
through. That's why the apostle Paul was able to write, "You can do all
things through Him who strengthens you." He later adds, that "in Christ we
are more than conquerors," suggesting that we can overcome any obstacle
if we let God help.
So if you have something that is weighing you down and stopping you
from doing what you need to do, don't hesitate to ask for help. Call a
friend. Or if the problem seems too big, call on God. You will find that
your problems will be easier to face and less challenging to get over.
God bless. See you in Church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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