Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!
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There was a season in my life when I was not very good about asking for help.
That season lasted about 25 years of my life. Then I got married, answered the call to ministry and had a baby. I realized quick, fast, and in a hurry that I needed to get over myself, swallow my pride and not be afraid to ask for help.
Sometimes help might come from a friend. Other times, my husband is able to lend a hand. But most often, I am seeking help from the Lord.
Here’s one of my latest examples.
I am currently on a quest to get fit in 2014. We are talking reaching new levels of fitness that I have never experienced in my life. It’s not an easy process, but I know God is behind it. So He is my help and encouragement.
The other day as part of my weekly fitness routine, I was doing a ruck march. Since I am built more like a Clydesdale than a Thoroughbred, ruck marching is kind of my jam, plus it is a great calorie burner. (Side note: Ruck marching is an army thing. They wear large backpacks called “ruck sacks,” fill it with heavy gear, then march.)
On this particular day, I was hoping to do five miles with 60 pounds in the ruck strapped to my back. Baby girl was in her warm, waterproof bubble in the jogging stroller and our goofy little dog Justus was tied to the stroller’s handle.
I wasn’t super excited for the workout, but knew it had to get done. We live in Washington State, so the possibility for rain was always looming.
I checked the weather and the rain wasn’t forecasted for another couple hours. I prayed, sucked it up and took off. About half a mile into my ruck march, it started to rain. Correction: It started to pour. At this point, looked heavenward and mumbled something like “Really, God??”
I kept going. Soon I was soaked. I could feel the water pooling at the top of my ruck sack, slowly dripping down my back. Then… the wind picked up.
For those of you out there who have ever pushed a jogging stroller in the rain against the wind, it is no easy task. Add the extra weight on your back during a ruck march and it really makes you want to sit down on the side of the road and cry.
Suddenly, I remembered: I should pray and ask God for help. So that’s what I did.
“Hey Lord… A little help here?? Could you please let the wind stop blowing and rain slow down? I need help!”
Almost immediately, I heard His answer, which totally surprised me: “I am helping you, daughter. This challenge is what I have for you today. Keep going.”
That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I asked for “help.” Maybe we had a bad connection? Le sigh. I kept trudging forward, one heavy, soggy foot after another until our house came back into view and my watch beeped at the 5 mile marker.
We did it. With God’s help. Even if it wasn’t in the form I was expecting or hoping.
So that brings us to today’s #EverydayJesus moment: In what areas of your life do you most often find God helping you? How do you react when His help is in an unexpected form? I always love to hear from you. Leave a comment and join the conversation.
Friends, I pray this post encourages you. Know that God is always with us, helping us out with our challenges– even if it is in a form that we weren’t expecting. He knows best. Trust Him.
God always helps us. He will never let us down.
My Help Comes From the Lord,
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” ~Psalm 54:4 NIV
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