I want to love those around me well. I bet you do too. It doesn’t matter if I know someone or not, God’s heart for them is that they are loved well by His children.
I have reflected on my life in its various seasons. In every hard season, He was always been faithful to bring someone into my life to love me well. And I remember the significance of how my friends have served me. Their help has ranged from:
- praying for me
- giving me wise counsel
- buying me groceries
- helping me move to a new apartment
- paying for my rent when I was laid off
- letting me sleep on their sofa so I wouldn’t be homeless
Now, I will be the first to admit that I struggle with a little thing called pride. I am ridiculously independent and self sufficient. I actually pride myself in it. But, the Lord has gently humbled me over the years. I have learned to ask for help, especially when I don’t want to — and to accept help when it is offered. I won’t lie and say that it is easy for me to do that now, but I pretty much just take a deep breath and let it happen.
There is a blessing in both receiving and in giving.
The Lord let some simple, yet deep truths settle in to my heart.
It’s not about the size of the ask, it’s about the heart behind it.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” {John 13:35}
Some of the ways that my friends have loved me may seem large, and maybe they were, but it doesn’t always have to be some grand gesture. The prayer a friend offers will touch my heart just as much as someone paying my rent. The simple act of them loving me and asking if they could bless me makes feel valued by Father God and by my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Asking shows someone they are seen.
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” {Genesis 16:13}
I often feel as though no one sees me. I don’t get the invite. I don’t win the award. I don’t receive a Thank You for a job well done. I am not the most popular person. I don’t have the biggest platform. All of that can weigh heavy on me at times. And when I am hurting, that feeling is magnified.
When we see a need of someone and we ask if we can help them, we show them they are seen and known by us and a loving Father.
Asking shows someone God’s design for authentic community.
The early church had it right. They loved each other so well. They sacrificed for those who were in need. They gave, and when they had nothing left, they gave some more.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” {Acts 4:32-35}
We could learn a lesson from the early church. I don’t often think about the things that I could go without so that someone might have. The very core of serving is that nothing belongs to us. We are only stewards of what belongs to God . . . our time, our gifts, our skills, our resources. We should hold them loosely in order for Him to bless and minister to the broken around us.
So whether you are the one asking or the one being asked, it is all an offering to the Lord.
It is in these times, when I know He sees me. And I know He knows me. And I know He loves me.
He sees you.
He knows you.
And He loves you.
How have you seen the power of the “small ask” at work in your own life?
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Karina,
I believe that I see it most when people ask me, “What can I pray for you specifically?” To me, that says that they are not just sending up a general “cover all” kind of prayer – which is still great – but, when someone takes the time to want to know what is specifically weighing on my heart, to me that says they really care…they really see me. Likewise, I try to ask people what I can specifically pray for them. I try to see what is really at the heart of the matter. Thanks for a wonderful post to continue to urge me on…
Blessings,
Bev
Bev! I LOVE that!!!!!! I ask for specifics too! It makes the prayer that much sweeter to me.
Thank you for sharing!!!!! Have an amazing day!!!!!
I so appreciate your post, Karina. In this culture where self-sufficiency is applauded, it’s hard to ask for anything. We feel like a burden. Like we’re needy. But you’re right. It’s in the asking that community is deepened—both because of the humility required of the asker and the opportunity to bless for the giver. That connection is special.
I’ve had to ask for prayer recently over some family matters. It’s hard to admit we’re not “perfect.” But really, what family is? The blessing is I know I can trust the gals I asked to pray . . . both for their confidentiality and for their prayers. And, God is faithful to answer. And meet me in the dark moments.
Great truth here, Jeanne, that spoke to my heart: “It’s in the asking that community is deepened.” Pride is a barrier to blessing, isn’t it–for the asker AND the giver. I need to remember that!
Jeanne, thank you for sharing!!!!
That is so good! I am so glad that the Lord brought some amazing women to come along side of you and wage war on your behalf. It is special and beautiful! God has called us to humility and to live life together and uphold each other.
Blessings to you!
OH, didn’t I just have to deal with this. I am a very independent person. When I was a little girl, as the oldest of five children, I was often put “in charge”. I have spent my entire life caring for others, putting others first, and giving “I’m fine, thanks” as an answer, when I was far from it. Last week my husband was gone on a trip, my teen daughter feel and broke her leg, and I was left to figure out how to deal with a 3 month old puppy with a UTI and work my job at the same time. I had been counting on my daughter to take her out during my shift. I reached out to my community of friends, and humbly asked for help. It was so hard for me, I’m not going to lie. God is reaching me that I cannot do it all, but where I struggle, is when I ask others for help (mainly in my household), and I do not receive it. So then, I just have to keep on doing it all until I burn out. This was a great post, and it soothed my weary heart to read, and I am going to share it on my fb page for my group to enjoy. <3 B
Beth! Thank you for sharing sweet sister!
I am glad that you laid your pride aside and asked for help. May God’s grace abound in this season.
I would continue to be honest about when you need help and be honest about sharing with your family that when you ask for help that you legitimately need the help because it’s hard for you to handle everything on your own.
May God show Himself mighty in your life!
You are so right Karina! Yes, we can learn so much from the early church. They truly knew what it meant to give, and it was all for the furthering of the gospel. Great message today. Thank you!
Thank you Kristine for sharing!
I am learning daily so much from the early church. That is how I want my life to look. I wan to give and serve joyfully and lavishly!
Wonderful. I’ve been so blessed as well by the many ways God loves me through others. He always provides in some remarkable way.
Amen Monique!!!!!
Be blessed!!!!!
“Whether you are the one asking or the one being asked, it is all an offering to the Lord.” Wise insight, Karina. Thank you!
Thank you Nancy!!!
May you love and serve like Jesus!
Blessings!!!
I too have a hard tome asking, when I finally felt can mfortable asking my church last year for assistance. With gas,the pastors wife said “no Condy,we helped you 2 months ago, we have to help other people too”.this hurt me,I was already wounded from divorce,loss ng my home,having part time access to my kids,losing my job.individual friends have been my life savers outside the chirch
Cindy.
Prayers for you sister!! May God bring financial blessings your way and great friends also! May you find peace and contentment! Prayers for God to provide for your provisions: another job, new housing and whatever else you may need!
Blessings:)
Cindy, that is so sad! I know how that feels all too well. I go to a wonderful, large church. When I have been in need, they were not the ones to step in. It was my friends and other ministries that didn’t have so much red tape to go through.
I pray that the Lord will be Your greatest source. May He meet any and every need, even the ones that you don’t think are needs. May He bring calm, peace, healing and abundance to your life. He is good and faithful despite what circumstances may say. Stand on the firm foundation of His Word and promises over you.
You are blessed and highly favored!
Thank you for sharing!
Karina,
I love helping people and giving to them from my abundance. Often times I don’t ask, but just do for others to show them God’s love!! Since God has blessed me with some good friends and a great husband I try to model a good Christian attitude.
When I speak with people I often ask “how are you?” I don’t want a blasé fine, but really want to know deep down what is bothering you–what’s on your heart today! I want each and every person I meet to know how much I care about them and want the best for them!!
Blessings 🙂
You are invaluable to the body of Christ Beth! Know that God is pleased at how you love and serve well.
Thank you for sharing!
Blessings to you!!!
Karina, this is beautiful and true. There is such blessing in both giving and receiving. I would do well to remember that!