Acts 20:35 tells us it is better to give than to receive. For about eight months now, when four young grandsons moved in with us last summer, Sharon and I have lived on the receiving side of that Scriptural equation. Realizing we were short on everything, we put out quiet calls for help. We were rapidly embraced with offers of clothing, food, aid and comfort. Help has come from friends, neighbors, family, so many people at Nativity, and people we’ve never met. It has been a truly heartwarming experience, and expanded our appreciation for this beautiful congregation. This past Saturday, a parishioner left bags of grapes and apples, another reminder of the kindness and love that has not stopped flowing our way for many months now.
As humbling as this has been, we have learned so much from this experience. We have enjoyed wonderful meals, received countless donations, and the grandkids met many wonderful people. One of the most challenging aspects of these months has been accepting help, and more so, asking for it. We all believe we can do it ourselves, for however long it takes, by ourselves. Those ideas are ingrained in our good ol’ fashioned Protestant work-ethic DNA, so hard to overcome.
If, at some point, you or your family run out of energy, out of time, out of patience or maybe out of money, don’t despair. In this stressful and volatile environment, it is not unusual. We can also personally vouch for this lesson: There is no shame, no reduction in status, no diminishment of image within our community from asking for help. We did experience an enormous surge of relief and love when we put aside our pride and opened the door for help. If you find yourself walking on the edge of being overwhelmed, or actively sliding down that slope, please reach out. Contact Stephanie, David, a Stephen minister, one of our amazing Vestry members, or any friendly parishioner, and start that conversation. We’re not questioning Paul’s guidance in Acts; we are offering an alternative perspective. Make that call, we are so thankful we did.
Matt Chytka Sharon Waidler