Why is it so hard asking for and letting people help?

I've pondered this question all day after I sent out the request last night asking for help for Justin's cochlear implant upgrades.  

My answer kept coming back to selfishness and pride since I don't want anyone's help because I want to be able to do it all by myself.  

It's during our weak moments, though, that He is strong!

2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus says "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  The passage continues with...

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Boast all the more gladly... that is definitely playing the opposite game with what comes naturally to our flesh.  So, asking God to let the Holy Spirit guide so that the supernatural trumps the flesh is an ongoing prayer that I will continue to say.  

I sat down with Justin this afternoon when he came in from baseball to look at all the messages, comments, and text.  Any time we've done fundraising for his implants before, he was too young to really know what was going on.

This time, he, as well as Jordan and Jet, get to watch first hand at how God pieces this all together.   As I was typing this, a friend text me offering to put all of this ordering to a google form making everything much more organized and easy for everyone involved.  My initial thought was no, I'll just handle it.   I look up to see 'boast all the more gladly in weaknesses" because I have no idea how to do what she was offering to help me do.  Then it hit me, "What if God laid it on her heart to help me and I was denying her the blessing of using her abilities He gave her to be a part of this process."   Seeing it that way brings a whole different perspective to accepting help!  When we are weak, He is strong!  He is the one that sends people our way to help...are we turning down His help when we say no?  Something to ponder....

I am more than excited to announce that within 24 hours, we've already had orders for the tshirts from California to Indiana!!  Praise Jesus!!  Not only because we'll be closer to getting Justin's implants upgraded, but as theses shirts are worn, it will point people to our God who wants to be our strength and help in every obstacle!

Emails with specific order forms will go out tomorrow as soon as the forms are ready!  If you haven't been added to the email list and would like a shirt, they are $15.00 (of which $10 goes to Justin's upgades).  Email us at jamieandtrisha@gmail.com to be added or commend on this blog/post.

Thank you to all of you who have called, text, commented, offered help, and have been praying for us!  To say I am in awe is an understatement!!!  God is so faithful and really is able to do immeasurably more than you can imagine or ask (Ephesians 3:20!)