'Help is on the Way, Deary!'

This is one of my favorite lines of all time!  It's from Mrs. Doubtfire...in case you are not familiar with it.  I love it because of the swift urgency with which Mrs. Doubtfire rushes to the rescue of the interloping boyfriend who is choking.  Wouldn't it be nice if every crisis had such an able and enthusiastic hero (or heroine!)?

I often think of this line when I'm in distress.  I wonder if help is on the way...or if this is one of those "character building" experiences in which I am left to my own devices. I'm usually the kind of person who just automatically assumes the latter.  I rarely ask for help, or expect anyone to rescue me...even when there might be people willing or able to try. 

What got me thinking about this is that my husband and I were sitting around trying to decide what the best use of our time was yesterday, when a knock came at the door.  It was my neighbor's son.  He said "I heard you might be needing some help with things around the house, I thought I'd see if I could do anything".  My husband and I both looked at each other in amazement!  Where do we even START?!

That got us off the couch, and into the backyard to paint the partially painted exterior of the house.  We started the job last fall...after our painter guy flaked out.  We ran out of good painting weather and had to leave it half done for the winter.  It was a beautiful day, so the three of us each took a can and brush and started painting.  He said he'd come back on Monday to finish up.  I know he will, because this is one kid who always does what he says he's going to do!  (VERY REFRESHING!)

I had been wondering...and even blogging...about how I was going to be able to get things done around the house for my in-laws to come.  I have been so busy, I didn't feel like I could put in the concentrated effort needed.  I was even somewhat resentful of the time I spent helping others (see my recent post titled 'babysitting blues') because I have been trying to block out time to work on the house, and it just wasn't working out.

This young man's visit, and subsequent help, made me feel like help was on the way for me too!  In my own naive way, I kind of want to believe that 'what goes around, comes around', but the realist in me knows it doesn't always happen.  So, whether it's money or time, I only give what I'm ready to let go of completely, never expecting anything in return.  It keeps me in a better mental state, and eliminates the whole 'score-keeping' mentallity. 

The only down side of that is that I don't ask for help, even when I need it.  I don't call in favors either, which, now that I think of it, may make people feel like the relationship isn't a two way street.  Being the socially awkward person that I am, I don't really know the subtle differences between being used and being a friend.  I choose to err on the side of generosity when others need help, but I am shy about using other people's help...unless they offer it at such oportune moments, like YESTERDAY...when it seemed a like a message from God himself saying "HELP IS ON THE WAY!"

With that, I feel a serge of energy and optimism that maybe I CAN get the house ready in time...because maybe I'll have help!  I'm going to do what I can...but not on Sunday!  I gotta keep things square with the Lord by setting this day apart, to do His work, and to rest from the cares of the world (which I may not be doing if I'm blogging about them...Hmm).  I heard a great quote in church today..."you can't ask the Lord for whip cream while you live skim milk." 

Anyway...I'm off to visit someone in the hospital.  Take care dear friends!