Helping Hands

I’m still in awe over what happened the other night.  It started out as a normal week night.  We had finished dinner and as usual, my six year old had his glove and tennis ball and was tossing himself fly balls in the living room.  Out of the blue, my daughter asked if she could play too.  She grabbed her glove and they started playing together.  We were in the other room and could hear that they were playing nicely.  I peeked around the corner and saw that he was now throwing pop flies to her, coaching and cheering her on with every toss.  I was slightly surprised and hopeful that it would not somehow end in an argument (or tears).  They soon asked to go outside so they would have more room.  The cooperation continued!  David and I watched them from our hidden vantage point inside the house, hoping to remember this moment forever.  They were so involved and invested in each other’s success, encouraging each other along the way.  They were genuinely having fun. 

As we watched the kids playing together I could see that our son was helping our daughter, giving her little bits of advice that we had given him.  Without realizing it, she had asked him for help.  She knew that if she played catch with him she would get the practice that she needed to get better – something that is hard for her to admit, especially to her little brother.  As a result of asking for help, they had created a new game where they were both having fun.

When is the last time you helped someone?  You can probably think of a dozen examples that occurred in the last few hours.  It’s in our nature to help others.  Some things we do automatically out of love for the other person, like make breakfast.  Other things we do because we know it will surprise and delight the other person.  And yet other things we do because we know that the person needs the help and we are willing/able to lend a helping hand. 

No matter what the scenario, whenever we help someone it makes us feel good.  Physically you feel different when that “help-FULL energy” is coursing through your veins.  Mentally you know that you’ve made a connection with that person like none other.  Knowing that you’ve helped someone when they need it is a very fulfilling experience.

On the flip side, when is the last time you asked for help?  I’m guessing those examples don’t come quite as easily or as quickly.  At some point in our lives, we start equating asking for help with weakness.  We think that it makes us look better, or stronger, if we show that we can do things by ourselves.  We think that asking for help will make us look less capable.  But we all just agreed that we love helping people……anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

Are you resisting asking for help because you are afraid to impose on someone else?  Or are you afraid of how it will make you look?  Do you know someone who needs help but won’t ask?  What would happen if you just jumped in and started helping before being asked?  We’re here to help each other.  We can try to do it alone, but why do it alone when you have people all around you ready and willing to help?

Heart-FULLy yours, 

Kacey