Why didn’t you just ask and I’d have told you…

I’m letting you ‘read my mail’ here. Perhaps I’m reading yours too. We tend to go looking for what we need in life. Heck, I can wander through some part of our house unsuccessfully looking for something that I’m pretty sure is nearby, finally end up asking my bride if she knows and – yep! – she knows right where it is. Why didn’t I just ask…

There are so many anecdotal ways to illustrate situations where we don’t bother to ask. Some of them are silly and innocent, some of them serious and deadly. I should just jump in right now and bring in the pivot point of this note by reminding us that there’s another question that is fair, and wise, to ponder. Why didn’t I listen…?

Asking for help is difficult for folks. It is in our nature to want to be able to do things on our own. Some folks become quite adept at doing lots of things well. They are curious and intrigued, which expands their horizons and abilities. I’ve learned to do some things pretty well and so have you. I’m still learning – and so are you.

We still need help. So why is asking for it hard? Why do we wander around longer than we need to, in search of what we’re looking for? It’s one thing when you can’t find your car keys. It’s another thing when you can’t find your soul.

Jacked up! I doubt the first person to use that phrase was referring to their truck, parked alongside the road with a flat tire. I think they were probably referring to the fact that they had a flat tire and it was making them late for something. Inconvenienced and Undesired are actually the jack holding the ‘truck’ up. (Sometimes I use the phrase when I’m trying not to cuss…just being honest here)

When we are too proud to ask, when we let ourselves get all jacked up over something, what is truly happening is we are being hijacked in the moment by a situation that, if we’re being honest, is really pointing us to the need we must both accept and pursue – ask for help. And that, essentially, is our cycle.

- Too proud to ask

- Life happens

- Intersection of choice in response: don’t ask for help & figure it out on your own

- Get jacked up

I shared the idea in a previous post about considering the word ASK as an acronym for Ask – Seek – Knock. I mentioned that it comes from the great Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew’s gospel. The great Teacher’s invitation to us, as his message was winding down, was to both know how to ask for help and to expect help when we asked. He framed his principal in the foundational promise that when we ask, help comes.

Humble people learn to ask. They acknowledge their dependence and interdependence on one another, on their Creator. Their lives are marked by the same challenges, but the cycle offers new hope.

- Humble enough to ask

- Life happens

- Intersection of choice: Ask for help

- Help comes

Pride is jacked up. They are synonymous. Humility is met with help.

Some will debate me on this, and I appreciate that they do. I can only testify to what I have seen, and I find this truth about A.S.K. to be unimpeachable, even during the most difficult times I’ve ever imagined.

Be encouraged, heartened if you will, today. ASK for help. If calling or emailing assists in getting the ball rolling, my email address is below. *And if you need to debate a bit, I’d welcome that too – seriously.

You were made to do great things. You’re still here – you’re still growing – there’s still enough time! ASK for help.

Peace~

Craig

craig@r12coaching.com