“I lift my eyes up to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”—Psalm 121:1-2.
It has been a long time since I have written. My father’s health has steadily deteriorated and a recent visit to my parent’s place has shown us how very little control we really have. We need help.
A few weeks ago in church, my pastor was describing her viewing of the Mr. Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”. I have not seen it, but she described a little about it and his sharing about the people around us. Children near and far have grown up learning about the neighbors around them and how they are helpers. The mailman, the teacher, the mom next door, all can be helpers in our lives.
The pastor described how we may feel like God is distant and not involved in the troubles of life, but she said something that still sticks with me today: “Look for the helpers. That is where we see God—-when people are helping us, that is God helping us. Look for the helpers.”
As our family wrestles with decisions about caregivers, helpers, long term plans, and just getting through each day, I told my mom that we need to “look for the helpers.” God has planted people in her life to help her and my dad. Whether it’s the PT, the OT, the doctor, the nurse, the cousin, the sister-in-law, the friend, the young couple down the street, or the social worker, all these people are in my parent’s lives for a reason and they are there to help.
Where do you need help today?
When the days are long and hard and you think you can’t go another day, “look for the helpers.” That is God’s hand reaching out, helping by surrounding you with other neighbors. Friends, families, churches, neighbors. Help for the helpers. Look for it. Cling to it. And know that God is right with you!
Prayer–“Gracious helping God, thank you for the helpers you put in my life. Open my eyes to see your hand leading me day by day because of my neighbors that reach out. Humble my heart to receive help. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 