"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

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Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures. Welcome to the September newsletter. Yes, it’s September already.

I’M BACK

The last newsletter was interrupted by a knee replacement surgery. I took the advice of others and finished it with stories from previous issues. It worked out better than expected.

I learned something from the experience. I’m a fiercely independent and private individual. Needless to say, I hate to ask for help. Though that may be admirable from one point of view, it does a disservice to those that are guided by the Lord to help.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

It sounds counterproductive when you are told to work harder to rehabilitate but at the same time, you should let others help you. I am learning though and it’s all good.

One reason for my independent ways is that old friends of my past have all died or moved on and the only children I had died before I could know them. I’ve felt compelled to do what I can on my own or hire someone to do the rest.

My wife and editor, Mary has children from a previous marriage. Her son helps her with outside work when he can but he has a demanding job and time is something hard for him to come by. He knows that his Ma lives with a lot of pain from arthritis though and he has done a lot for her. He cleans the gutters and does heavy yard work as well as helping with inside projects she can’t do on her own. Still, she does what she can because her kids have limited amounts of time.

I watch the mother and son relationship and wonder what it must be like to have a kid step up and take care of a parent. Her friends from her past are also gone so she only has her kids to lean on. Consequently, we are both independent and try to do everything on our own.

Tonight, I was catching up on my Facebook page when I received an instant message from a friend from my church. Gary told me how he had been talking with other church members about helping out with work around our house. I was both, overwhelmed and embarrassed.

I didn’t know how to react. The offer to help with yard work or anything we’ve had to ignore during my rehab time stunned me and my first thought was to refuse. These people have lives of their own and I don’t want to burden anyone. The offer was more than generous because I am out of commission and Mary works double time to keep our household going.

Then I remembered a recent phone call with Saul. He reminded me that there are times when others are led by God to help us and we are robbing them of the chance to do what the Lord led them to do. It’s all about the community of the church.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10

Sure, I never got to know what it’s like to have kids around in time of need and my friends are all dead or have moved on. Mary’s old friends have moved on and time and geography have limited her time with her kids as well. We’ve done well on our own with our independent attitude and God’s guidance.

However, just because old friends are gone that doesn’t mean there is nobody left. The Church is a vast household of faith and the members are spiritual brothers and sisters. Even though I can barely take care of myself, I’m always looking for ways to help others but when someone offers to help me I resist. That’s odd when you think about it. I’m just not used to receiving while living in a world of takers.

It’s hard to adjust to letting others help. It’s embarrassing to have someone do something for you that you’ve done routinely all your life. You feel like a slacker.

Since the surgery, I’ve made it back to church once for a CRHP meeting and I realized I have family and friends if I just let them in when they come knocking on my door. Gary’s IM and Saul’s call reinforced the fact that the Church is more than a community of believers; it’s friends and family that are forever. Yes, I’m back and feeling okay but somewhat less independent. Thank God for friends and family.