The helicopters.

I’m sure you know the story about the drowning man who refuses offers of help, saying that God would rescue him, not realising that God had sent the boat and helicopter to save him. I wonder how much help we miss out on because we’re looking in the wrong place?

Last week the pedal assist on my trike stopped working. I was at the bottom of a gradual hill in the park and could not move. A woman came past saying ‘you look like you need a push’ and got me going again. I didn’t even have to ask.

Asking for help is hard. Being helped is also a challenge. But when it happens, it feels good. Even though I need help frequently, I am always hesitant to ask for it. It’s a mixture of frustration and shame I suppose. Frustration that it is not me who is doing the helping. Shame that I need it. But if I had said no to that woman, I would still be there, foolishly thinking that I can somehow sort it by myself.

If you are struggling, look out for the rescue possibilities close by, and never be too proud to accept them. The best thing about it is that most times, it blesses the helper too.

If we believe, we can see that God is looking out for us, placing people in our way when we most need it. Sometimes we can feel abandoned; sometimes it can feel that there is no rescue coming. That is the time when we wait and we pray.

I really hope those helicopters come for you when you need them. Don’t forget they might not look the way you expect!