As Americans we are trained to be independent. I still try to be as
independent as I can be. But there is much to be said about being in a
place of helplessness. About being dependent on someone. About knowing
how to accept help graciously, and understanding how to sense when
others need help, and provide help yourself.
Since becoming an overseas volunteer (bwa hahaha, you thought I'd say
missionary?), I have been placed in the very uncomfortable and yet
entirely awesome position of being dependent on others.
Not just for financial support, but for other things as well. Dependent
on God, daily is a glorious position to be in. Seeing Him come through
and be faithful is wonderful.
It is an entirely different kind of wonderful to see humans, friends,
even strangers, come through and be helpful.
I mean we sort of come to expect it of God, we know He loves us. We are
thankful for Him, and His love, which never ends and never tires. But
human love does get tired. And so when we are shown love from one
another, it tends to reach us in a different part of our heart. I think
that is why Christ tells us to love one another. It seems to reach us
in ways nothing else does.
Yesterday my parents needed help with their computer and though I tried
remotely to fix it, I was unable to. A friend went way above and beyond
and assisted my parents by going to their house, spending multiple hours
with them, fixing their issues, and then telling them about his family.
He didn't make a big deal of it, he didn't even say a whole lot about
it. He just did it.
I can not communicate to you how much this touched me.
There have been many times like this over the last 9 years. Times when,
had I not been in a dependent/helpless position, I would not have
experienced the awesome love of others towards us.
Having been fiercely independent, even reputedly so, for many years, I
can tell you, though it takes adjustment and is scary at times, no
feeling of personal victory comes anywhere close to the incredible
feeling when someone reaches out to you in love, and you're able to
accept the help.
I can't even really explain it.
It's not begging, it's not pity, it is becoming close to one another in
a way that we are rarely accustomed to. It is Christ bringing people
together.
