It’s OK to Ask for Help (pt. 1) / It’s Ok to Ask for Help (pt. 2)
I tend to do things on my own. If I don’t already know how to do something, I do what I can to learn and teach my self to do it. Most have that drive in them to some degree. I am personally a stubborn individual and I can usually learn how to do something for myself. But a large part of learning is know when to ask for help. And, it’s ok to ask for help.
Continued from previous blog:
I was surprised to see another car attempting to climb the mountain. The way to the final accent was snow covered and this was a small compact car. I tried to flag the small Hyundai down before it got close to my car, but it was no use. They passed me, got close to the Kia, and stopped. You never stop on snow and ice. They attempted to back down, and to their credit, they did a good job. But it was no use. They got close to the edge and stopped before they fell in the ditch. Emerging from the vehicle were two men, who looked to be in their early twenties.
I approached their vehicle and said “Yall must have had the same crazy idea I did.” They laughed and agreed. As luck would have it, they were college students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. They examined their car as I was on the phone with my insurances road side assistance. They said they had contacted all that were on their list and no one was available. I could have told them that because I tried calling them all before my insurance. I was told there was one company that would do it and they would reach out to me soon, but they were outside coverage and would not be covered by insurance.
It’s OK to be in Limbo
I hate being in limbo. I like having a plan and a backup plan in case that one doesn’t work. I was in limbo because no one was available to come and rescue me and I was pretty much out of options. It’s during times like these that we need to remember to breathe. Just because we are not in control doesn’t mean all is lost. It means it will take more than ourselves to get out through the situation. Many times we are in limbo because we are only relying on our own strength and not the strength of others or God.
As I waited on the tow truck to call me and talk about options, I helped the two college guys with their car. They didn’t know what to do. Since they were not in the ditch and were still on the road, I suggested we get bark and large sticks. We would use the bark for traction under the tires and the sticks to extend the side of the road so the car wouldn’t fall in the ditch. This was harder than it sounds. It was 13 degrees, and there was quite a bit of snow. We had to dig to find sticks and bark suitable for usage. While doing this, the UT students told me they were heading back to Knoxville and would give me a ride if needed. I said “thank you” and assured them that if the tow truck wasn’t able to come today, I would take them up on their offer.
It’s OK to Accept Help
The two truck guy did call while we were gathering wood. He was most unpleasant and went off about how stupid I was to attempt the trail. He then went on about how he could come but if he got stuck it would cost a lot of money that he knew I did not have. I politely told him that if he did not want to accept the job, he did not have to. He hung up on me. I looked at my two angels (UT students) and told them if the offer still stood, I would accept their ride to Knoxville. Things don’t always go our way. I had to humble myself and accept help from others. I did nothing to earn their help, nor did I seek it out. It was feely given, unconditional. Help does not make us weak. It is not a sign of poverty. Accepting help gives others an opportunity to bless us, and in turn, they are blessed.
After much gathering, we got the little Hyundai back on the middle of the road. I went my car, gathered the things I had to have, and put them in the students’ car. I called the Cumberland County Sheriffs department and told them about the Kia and that I would return the next day to retrieve it. They made a note of it and altered patrol. They UT students drove me back to Knoxville. The next afternoon the car was retrieved and safely driven back home.
It’s OK to Ask for Help
This experience was very hard for me. I was afraid, scared, mad, aggravated, helpless, and without hope. I was out of my element. I was not in control and I exhausted all of my options. I lastly resorted to the only thing that could help…prayer. Honestly, it should have been the first thing I did, but we rarely to the right things in the right order when we are stressed. I prayed to God, asking Him to send help. I didn’t know what that looked like or what that would be. I went to the mountain to converse with God, to get away from the distraction of life and reality, and have an experiential conversation with the Creator of the Universe. I had my conversation and experience, but it was nothing like I had planned. I have always said that God shows up unexpectedly, because we don’t expect Him to show up at all. I wanted to experience God on that mountain. He wanted me to see His provision before I ever got there. I did everything I could in my power before I asked Him to help. God is patient with us and will wait.
It’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to not have the answer, to make mistakes, and to fail. It’s ok to be scared and to rely on God. It’s ok to be in limbo, and it’s ok to accept help. Through this mountain bottom experience, I was humbled. And through our humility, we grow.
Jeff Fyke 