Never Assume

We've all heard it said and we've said it ourselves...

We've written it in notes....

We've left messages on the phone about it....

It wasn't until recently that this thing, or phrase really, started me thinking. And thinking hard.

Okay, so what am I talking about, you say?

I'm talking about the phrase, "if you need anything, just let me know."

Like when you hear that a friend isn't feeling too well. Maybe they just broke up with their boyfriend, or maybe they just had a bad day. You may call them and tell 'em you're thinking about them and that you'll pray for them...but what does the conversation end with?

"if you need anything, just let me know."

Or maybe you hear that someone dear is in the hospital and isn't doing too well. You call them and tell them you're thinking about them...and of course...

"if you need anything, just let me know."

Or perhaps you hear that a friend is moving. You call to wish them all the happiness in their new home, but before you get off you make sure and add...

"if you need anything, just let me know."

Or or or...maybe maybe maybe....I could go on and on.

Why do we say this? WHY? Let's be honest for just a minute....

When we hear that someone is having a bad day, hurting in the hospital, moving...or whatever it may be..........

We know in our heart of hearts exactly what they need. Why? Because God made us that way. He made us to be perceptive and relational people.

And we KNOW that if we were in their place, we'd want it too.

Honestly....is someone who is having a bad day going to call you and say, "can you come over? I just need a hug and someone to cry with."

Is someone in the hospital going to say, "come visit me! I need encouragement today because I feel like my whole world is crashing in."

Is someone that that is moving going to say, "come help me move, please? Lift heavy boxes to and from a van until you're sweating like a pig...."

Well maybe they will! BUT...the point is.......

Nobody likes having to ask. And nobody should. Not really.

When someone tells you their having a bad day.....ppssstt......little hint....

they ARE asking for help.

Now I know we're not all super-humans and can't do everything. I get that. And sometimes geographical distance prevents us from truly being there for someone on a whim. Maybe we'd all love to, but financially we just can't. I totally understand that, too. But

sittin' here at home, I bet you'll find a handful of people who are in need, and may have already "asked", only to be "thought of" or "prayed for."

Now I'm not saying that praying for people is bad. Not at all! Maybe praying is the only thing you can offer up and if it is...God bless you for it. ;) But if you have hands and feet, USE them!

I need to be reminded of this myself.....

I need to not just think or pray...but allow God to use me when He wants to and HOW He wants to. Even if it means getting off of my comfortable sofa and going to someone who is in need. Maybe just a hug. Maybe someone that needs a good talking with. Or maybe someone is happy and wants to share it!

I don't have to worry about that. God'll show me, and He'll show you, too.

Never assume that someone is going to ask you.

Maybe they just did.

What did you say?

"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet do not give them what is necessary for {their} body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, {being} by itself. "

James 2:15-17