I never used to ask for help. I was the type of person who could be stranded on the side of the road and I would sit there frustrated before I ever asked someone to help me. I mean, if someone offered, I would take the help, but I would never ask. In fact, that really did happen to me.
Who sent you?…
It was cold snowy day in December and I had just completed my first semester at college. I was leaving town and headed back home with a car full of people, including my best friend, Amy. There was slight incline at the exit of the campus and my little Volkswagen Golf got stuck. The passengers hopped out and attempted to move the car but it would not budge. Out of nowhere (legit, out of nowhere) a man came, offered his help, and proceeded to push the car out of its stuck position. When I turned around to thank him, he was gone…just as quickly as he had appeared.
For many years I believed that man was an angel…now I know, definitively, that he was an angel. God knew just how stubborn I was and how reluctant I would be to ask for help so He sent His angel to assist me. My God is just so amazing.
So if I can remember that so clearly, then why can’t I remember that God will always provide for me in my time of need?
Stubborn, Shelly…
Being in this transitory phase of my life has allowed me to form relationships with the most unlikely people. People who at another time of my life, I would have ignored.
A few weeks ago I met these two nice young women who greeted me with the warmest and most genuine smiles that I had ever seen. We stopped and chatted for a bit and I learned that they were Mormon sisters, here for missionary work. Of course I ran in the house and texted Amy, “bestie, I met some Mormons and they were so nice!” She reacted as I had suspected and asked me what happened. I told her that I had given them my number (my real one) and invited them to reach out to me. And they did. They kept offering to help with whatever I may need help with…..and of course I declined the help every time. I don’t need help. I’m Superwoman’s baby sister, I don’t need help. I got this.
Fast forward to last Saturday. I’m in my house packing for my move this weekend and my back decided that it hated me- it just up and quit. So there I was, sitting in my living room floor in tears because I had work to do but I was not physically capable of doing it.
Michelle, I sent you help.
Im sorry, God, what did you say?
I said text the sisters, Michelle.
But You know how I feel about asking for help….
Fine, sit there in pain then.
*grabs phone to text the sisters*
Ok, you have to understand my relationship with God. He knows His child is hardheaded so He tends to have to repeat Himself with me. But I’m thankful that He does not give up on me.
So I texted the sisters and they were very excited that I had reached out and they offered to come over asap. Because of our conflicting schedules, I told them that today would be a good day to pack up my home. And what a good day it was.
Something felt different about today. I could feel His presence just a little bit more than normal. Maybe it was the prayer that Amy said for me before work or maybe it was the prayer that I said before meeting with people of another faith (no matter the person, always pray before entering a new church or conversing with others of a different faith…you must guard your spirit). I don’t know what it was but I felt God nearer to me than normal. I just love that feeling!
The sisters did help me pack but truthfully I had spent the time learning more up them as people, their faith and purpose, and how God works in marvelous ways. I have no desire to become a Mormon but their commitment to missionary has always fascinated me. I admire how they are able to pick up and move for 18mons at a time, have limited conversations with their loved ones, have doors slammed in their faces, yet all the more travel for God.
I can honestly say that I am not there yet. Maybe I could travel for God but no music, no cell phone, only a weekly email to my mom or a twice per year phone call to her- nope, I’m not that mature in Christ…and these two sisters are 19 and 20 years old. At that age, I was -just being honest- sinning in every possible way. But here they are sitting on my floor, helping me pack, and talking to me about Jesus. Wow. These two young women reminded me of one key commandment- “Love thy neighbor.” The Bible outlines who is our neighbor but these young women live it every day. They offered their help, their prayers, and their love to me- someone they had just met a few weeks earlier. Look, some of my family members don’t love me as openly as these two sisters do.
Sisters, if you ever read this: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being Jesus’ love personified. If I take nothing else from my time in this city, I will carry your kindness, boldness, and love wherever I go.
Reflection:
God will send the most unexpected people into our lives to be the biggest blessing to us. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)? The person who should not have helped the beaten man on the side of the road was the ONLY person who stopped to provide aid. Not only did he provide aid, but he paid for his lodging and offered more upon his return if the bill exceeded the amount that he had already paid. The point of my message? God knows what you need and He will ALWAYS provide for you. Trust Him. Let Him help you in every way.
Be Blessed.
God Happened To ME Ministries, LLC 