I can help you with that...

Hebrews 4:16 (The Message)
So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

I need help. Each week for over two years I have needed help to choose a passage of Scripture and write this email. Each week I walk right up to Him and ask for what He is so ready to give. I seek for and accept the help to craft a meditation -- something I know I cannot do on my own.

Then I click "Send" and turn my attention back to work -- doing what I can do on my own quite well, thank you. I don't need His help to do what I do for a living.

Excuse me?

As I reread what I just wrote, I am struck by how ridiculous that sounds. Of course I need His help. How else am I going to transform what I do for a living into what I do for an abundant life in Christ? How else am I going to transform my work into my worship of His work in my life? If we are not working together, hand-in-hand, how is He going to work through me?

And yet so often, I drop the hand I am holding right now and turn to face the world on my own.

Lord Jesus, look at me. I am weeping. I am so sorry that I am so quick to reject or ignore the gifts you so freely offer. Lord, I promise, today is going to be different. Today I will keep your hand in mine and accept all your gifts of help. Help me with my work today. Help me stay focused on You. Help me hear You whisper "Jim, I can help you with that" each time I forget and drop the very hand which created me. Help me become all that You created me to be.

And sometime this evening, I will close this day-long prayer with a smile and an Amen. And I will rest sweetly knowing that we can do this all over again tomorrow. But for now, the prayer for this day continues...