I was five or six years old, sitting on my father’s lap, when he kissed me and told me that he loved me; he loved me but whatever in life I wanted I would have to get by myself. He wasn’t able to give it to me. At that time I thought he was talking about the glasses in the cupboard. So I started standing on chairs to do all the things I would have normally asked someone else to do. I stood on chairs to get the glasses. I stood on chairs to wash dishes and to get things out of the refrigerator. It wasn’t until I reached my teen years that I understood that he meant much more than that. He was telling me that I had to rely on myself. He was telling me I would have to provide for myself. I’ve heard his voice throughout my adult life advising me to ‘get it myself’. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized how isolated those words had made me. By always ‘getting it myself’ I had failed to rely on anyone; family, friends and most importantly God. I was happy, no more than happy – fulfilled when I could help others. It was motivating to solve other’s problems. But I rarely allowed anyone to assist or even know about my problems. Consequently, when I finally reached a point in my life when I couldn’t ‘get it myself’ I felt like a complete failure. I thought that if I couldn’t even help myself how could I be any use to anyone? I know my father meant well when he gave me that advice. He meant to make me strong and independent. But it is not advice I will pass on today. Today I would like to remind you that you are not alone. Today I would like to direct you to John 14 to encourage you to know and always remember that you have the Holy Spirit with you as a helper and comforter. You never have to get it for yourself. Allow His spirit to guide you and you will never be on your own.
crystallennon 