3:362 – On The Ground? Accept The Hand

#faithbites #faithjourney ground

Setting

It’s a cool morning in Bloomington, Illinois and my youngest wanted to ride her scooter while I took our dog for a walk. All was going well, the dog was chasing the youngest, and next thing I knew, I was on the ground and in pain. I had lost my footing on an uneven sidewalk in front of a neighbors house. My youngest grabbed the dogs leash, and my neighbor, who was working in his garage, ran over and offered his hand to help me off the ground. I didn’t accept it, COVID and stubbornness, but I should have. He was helping me get off the ground and back to the walk. I’m Ok, just bruised a bit.

We are often offered hands that we don’t accept. Is it pride? Why won’t we take the helping hand that is freely offered?

Remember, Jesus offers his hand daily without restriction or prerequisites. Just reach out and grab it!

Scripture

• Acts 3:7 – And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
• Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Reflection

I’ve had friends invite me to do things as well as offering help and I’ve turned them down. I have also said, please don’t stop offering as I will accept it at some point. Here’s the thing, helping each other and receiving help isn’t weak, it’s what God commands us to do. It’s how he created us. In the Acts scripture, if he didn’t accept the help, he wouldn’t have been made strong. It’s that simple. Accepting help makes a strong.

The next time someone extends a hand, reach out and grab it. Don’t worry about any intentions or what comes next. Know that the help is needed and you can be made strong by accepting it.

Speaking of help, when we got home, my daughter wanted to hug me to heal me, and even get my medicine so I wasn’t sore. This was her showing love. I accepted it with love and thanks.

Challenge

Next time someone offers a hand to help, accept it. Don’t worry about why. They want to help. Say thank you and accept.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for helping hands. Thank you for helping me not be seriously hurt. I pray that all of us who need help will have a hand extended in friendship and love. Erase our fears of accepting help. Eliminate our stubbornness and thoughts that we have to do it on our own. We pray for your strength, your helping hands, and your love, always. In your name, Amen.