Just say YES..

I've been thinking about writing this post for awhile now.  But reading Why It's Okay to Not Be Enough encouraged me to finally do it.

photo source

No matter who you are, not matter if you have one kid or a dozen kids, homeschool or public school, or whatever else is going on in your life.  We are all busy, it just happens that way.  Some of us more busy than others sometimes. 

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galations 5:13-14

I have had some rough days as a mom.  With one very active son and two special needs kids life can be crazy around here.  I've had days when I feel desperately alone, and I wonder why God has dealt me this hand... I have been in seasons where I tried to hide how hard things are.  I put on my Sunday smile and when people ask how I am I say "Fine." and when help was offered I would politely decline or say it didn't work with our schedule because I didn't want to inconvenience anyone.  What I was doing was neglecting to show my true self, my weakness, my need.

 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace... 1 Peter 4:10

But I have been more of a "yes" girl lately.  And I have been truly blessed by it.  My family and friends have stepped up to relieve some of the strain I have felt.  Obviously the kids are a lot of work, but especially since Isaac has gotten this new job its been hard for me because he is gone from 9am-8pm all during the week.  It makes for really long days.  Joe and Christine both have therapies throughout the week and misc. doctors appointments, etc.  So, when someone offers to take a kid or two so I don't have take them all to this appointment or that... I don't politely decline anymore.  I say:  "Yes, thank you.". 

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.Proverbs 11:25

 This is a pix of my three kiddos and my friend's beautiful daughters at the end of the two weeks of swim lessons that we rotated the responsibility of watching the littles and running the big ones to lessons.  We loved seeing them every day!

God uses His people to carry out His will.  He uses those people in our lives to answer our prayers for help.  I could stay in my pit and wonder why nothing is getting any easier... or I could accept the help being offered and be thankful that He has placed certain people in my life to share my burdens with me.  It is a huge blessing to me to have a bit of relief from the business of this life.  But I am realizing that it also blesses the one who is serving as well. 

 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Don't deprive your friends and family the blessing of helping you. Be a "YES" girl!  Say yes to the blessing of allowing your friends or family reach into your life and your heart.  You won't regret it!

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  -  1 John 3:16-18