reach out and touch someone

Do you remember that AT&T jingle?  That's the first thing I thought of when I was brainstorming the theme of this week's Carnival of Beauty.

The next thing I thought in regards to "reaching out" was serving others.  When we reach out and serve others--yep that is a beautiful thing. 

But, then, as I continued pondering "the beauty of reaching out" the idea twisted a little and hit home a little closer to what I am experiencing now.  And, I thought about reaching out for help.  Reaching out to ask others for their love, and prayers, and concern, for their help . . . is also a beautiful thing.

What parent would turn a blind eye to their baby reaching out to them?  It is a precious thing when a baby reaches out and wants you.

But, I have a hard time reaching out.  It is hard for me to ask for help, to admit I can't do something. 

I bare a problem alone.  I suffer and struggle by myself.  And when it is over, I tell people something to the effect of "sorry I kinda dropped off the planet for the last ____ (week, month, year) but life was hard and I was overwhelmed."

But that is so not what Scripture tells us to do. It tells us to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). 

Now, I don't mind bearing other's burdens.  I love serving and helping.  I love meeting needs.  My real weakness is in letting others be obedient to this command.  My weakness is I don't let others bear my burdens.

A few week's ago, my mission team had our monthly meeting and I just broke.  I spilled tears and admitted it had been a hard two weeks.  Reaching out and asking others for help  . . . priceless.  I was blessed because they were there--willing and able, glad even--to bear my burdens.  But, why did I wait two weeks?  Why couldn't I have called one of them earlier to reach out and ask for help?

I have a friend who I admire greatly, and one of the things I admire in her the most is her ability to be able to ask for my prayers.  I see her as a "spiritual giant"--I know I shouldn't but I do.  Why on earth would she ask me--weak little me--for prayers for her daily or weekly struggles?  I love that she is open and honest with what is going on in her life.  She doesn't see the need to hide and pretend it is all ok when it is not. 

I wanna be like that.  I wanna be able to reach out and let others help more easily.  I don't wanna feel like I have to pretend it is all ok when it is not.

Father, please take away my prideful desires to be a "super woman."  Please forgive me for the times I have been dishonest with myself, with you, and with others about my shortcomings--trying to hide them, pretend they aren't there, or excuse them away.  Please forgive me for not allowing others to help bear my burdens.  Please forgive me for waiting until my burdens have become unbearable on my own strength before I cast them at your feet.  Help me to be better about reaching out . . . to you and to others.

Have you discovered the beauty of reaching out?  How have the fellow believers in your  life blessed you by helping you bear your burdens?

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This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by Sallie at A Gracious Home.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Reaching Out and is hosted by Chel at Chasing Contentment.  Join us next week for The Beauty of Christmas Music.