Happy Willing To Lend A Hand Day

Possibly the most important lesson I'm having trouble teaching my children is the importance of helping. We don't help because it's our job to help. We don't help only when we get something out of it, or because we're simply cleaning up after ourselves (although this last would be great if done more often, too!). Maybe one of the reasons it's so important to me that my kids learn this lesson is that I've met adults who seem to have not learned it.

You know some of those people: they're the men who watch football while their wives fold laundry, do dishes, make supper, and carry in the groceries. They're the people who see a person in need standing on the street corner and cluck their tongues in disgust. They're the people who leave a church because they aren't "being fed," even though they've done nothing themselves to feed others. They're the ones who complain the loudest about whatever problems are happening in church, but have yet to hold a paintbrush, or work with the children, or make themselves available to assist on any level beyond that which they might consider their personal "ministry," assuming they even have one.

But as always, we needn't look to other people to provide an example of selfless, helpful love. We can look to God. If you want to see love in action, picture Jesus: exhausted, emotionally and even spiritually drained. He's been preaching. He's been calling disciples. He's been healing. And we know from Mark 5 that when He heals, he can feel the power flowing out from Himself (verse 30). And yet, called to the bedside of a dead girl, He will still summon the strength to command her to awaken.

When He left this earth physically, He sent His spirit -- who He named "Helper" (John 14:26) to aid us. Think of it! The God of the Universe -- the God who made Himself flesh and allowed himself to be crucified, to take upon Himself the punishment designed for us, in retribution of our sins -- would continue to help us, even now!

We're a needy people. Thank God we have a Loving Helper.