The other day I was at church with my family. Nothing new. When I looked at my phone hours later, a friend’s mom had called five times. My immediate reaction was that something was wrong. As a pastor, usually when people call a number of times it is an urgent matter. To my surprise, she called to help me. My two-year-old Labradoodle was running wild in the neighbourhood. On the chase were six good neighbours trying to catch him. I could hear her shortness of breath over the phone. Eventually, they succeeded in getting Jasper into our backyard.
If we are helpers, it’s easy for us to give help. Sometimes it’s difficult to receive help. Even more so to ask for help. Our pleas go unheard, or it’s easier to do it on our own. Help is a gift. It is a tangible act that shows us we aren’t alone.
The angels are often helping, offering presence and encouragement to Mary and others, telling them they are not alone. Help from others or help for others gives this same message: we are not alone; we don’t have to do it on our own.
God our companion, thank you for journeying with us through the easy and difficult moments of life with helpers along the way. Show us how we might help others. Amen. —