A couple of months ago, I got into my car and realized that I really needed gas. My gas meter was on the last line before "empty", and it likes to fluctuate occasionally so I wasn't really sure how much gas I actually had left. So I made my way to the nearest gas station, which happened to be at a Wal-Mart. I get there and notice all the pumps are being used. I admit that it probably wasn't the smartest idea to go to a Wal-Mart at noon on a Saturday, but I was desperate...
So instead of waiting for someone to get done, I drove to another gas station, which was in the direction that I had come from but further down the road. One pump was open. I roll into the spot, hit "Debit"... and nothing.
Frustrated, I decide to try the station even further down the street. At this station, I tried three different machines, and none would accept my card. Practically in tears at this point, I get back in my car and start it, driving back out and making my way back toward the first gas station to see if it was emptier now. That's when I notice that my gas meter chose that moment to drop down to just above "empty". My car started beeping, saying "low fuel". Panicking, I pull over into a parking lot and turn off my car. I then proceeded to just sit there and feel bad about myself for about five minutes, trying to decide what to do. At that point, I decided to call it quits before I actually had a break down. Long story short, I made it back home with just enough gas to make it to Wal-Mart the next morning.
Later that week, I went to pick up my parents from the airport after they had been gone for the week. I tell them my sad tale, and when I finish, my dad turns to me and says, "Next time that happens, go talk to an attendant and ask for help."
Yeah, that probably would have been the smart thing to do. But in my state of panic, I ignored that little voice in my head and just tried anything else I thought would work.
And lately, I got to thinking. How often do I do that? Avoid asking for help because I want to fix it myself? Because I don't want to seem like I don't know what I'm doing?
The answer is a lot.
I'm one of those people that tries everything herself before admitting defeat and asking for help. For some reason, I feel like people will look down on me. It makes me feel incompetent, not in control.
But honestly, what's wrong with that? What's wrong with imperfection? We're human. Those two words are practically synonymous. It's actually a good thing when you can admit that you need help. It's a sign of humility and courage.
A better question is: how often do I do that with God? How often in my life do I try to fix my problems on my own and forget that I have an all-powerful heavenly father who is just waiting for me to turn to Him for help? He's always there, always willing to help or just listen. But I just forget.
I am now going to borrow one of my dad's points from one of his sermons (again) because he always has good points.
There's a scene in the movie The Lion King where Rafiki comes to Simba and tries to convince him to return back to his homeland and take the throne. Simba, full of shame and guilt, refuses, saying he's no king. Rafiki then shows Simba a vision of his father Mufasa. In the vision, Mufasa tells Simba, "You've forgotten me." Simba, shocked, denies the accusation. Mufasa then reiterates: "You've forgotten who you are."
Mufasa wanted Simba to remember whose son he was, who he belonged to.
Just like God wants us to remember who we belong to. We are God's children. Children shouldn't be afraid to ask their parents for help.
Life is hard. I'm sure we've all figured that out one way or another. It's even harder when you try to go through it alone. To quote a lyric from a musical (still a theater girl at heart), "Someone is on your side. No one is alone."
Don't make the mistake of avoiding help. Sometimes just admitting that you need it can make a world of difference.
And when you're feeling lost, pull over and ask for directions. God knows the right way; He's just waiting for you to ask.
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"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
