Jo Bower's Blog

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Corinthians 12:6-8

Where did we get the idea when something bad happens to us,
It’s someone else’s obligation to come to our aid?
And we get angry when ‘they’ don’t move fast enough.

Where did we get the idea it’s our right for people to fix things for us?
Just because we sacrifice for our job or children, or God,
We assume there will be someone to help us.

I realize it’s different in times of disasters, of real need,
When all is lost, things are needed.
It’s good that society gears up for aid.

But beyond that, we’ve bought into the commercialization of personal value.
People selling products convince us we deserve the best, the newest, the most comprehensive,
No matter the cost to us or other people.

If we can’t get it on our own, people can loan us funds.
Someone needs to help us get it:
And if still can’t get it, we are somehow ‘devalued’ as a person.

And even beyond that, we expect
People to recognize our sacrifice, our losses
And step up to comfort and ease our pain.

What if there isn’t anyone?
What if God doesn’t send what we think we need?
Do we just quit, give up?

God doesn’t always take care of our needs like we expect.
Sometimes he helps us work through things,
Forging new paths, finding new courage, growing up emotionally.

Sometimes he sends people help.
Sometimes he sends financial help.
Often he sends emotional help.

It’s right to turn to God.
We need to learn to do that first; but sometimes when we’ve done that,
We expect God to send the kind of help we want.

What if it’s best that we remain in need?
What if we need to know what it means to be needy,
Yet remain faithful?