“I Need Help”

It was just about two weeks ago that our daughter and son-in-law welcomed a 10-month-old into their home. I’ll call him JB. In fact, JB was not only welcomed by Alli and Chris, but by Desmond (5) and Abe (1-1/2 ).

JB joined us for Easter and a family birthday celebration, even as he merged into the everyday life of our urban living daughter and son-in-law.

Yesterday Alli and Chris got word that JB would be reuniting with his family as he moved in with his grandpa. Bittersweet, but appropriate. Alli and Chris had done what they felt called to do and now tears mingled with hope as they prepared to say good-bye.

In a closing act of support, Alli posted an entry on the neighborhood electronic bulletin board. The Stapleton Swap is a tool that Alli has used on a number of occasions for garage sale and Craigslist kinds of transactions… but yesterday, her message was very different.

She told a bit of the JB story and then informed her faceless audience that he would be going to live with a grandpa who loved him and was excited to welcome him into his home. Then Alli added the clincher: “I need help…”

She wrote about wanting to bless JB and his family in this next step of life. “If you have any way that you could help this 10-month-old in this transition, let me know.”

The response was nearly instantaneous. Clothing, furniture, gift cards, diapers, toys.  The neighborhood rallied, because Alli and Chris asked for help.

I’m not much good at that. Asking for help is low on my list. But the three words can be liberating and expansive. “I need help.”

I can’t do this alone. Perhaps just as important, I will not try to do this alone. Join me. Multiply the impact. Do what I can’t or shouldn’t do. But only when we confess that we need, and want help.

Today JB will be reunited with his grandpa. And he’ll also be propelled and equipped with the love and support of a neighborhood that responded to a request for help.

The lesson is powerful. The results are convincing.

We are better together. We are better when we ask for help. We are better when we invite others to do what they can do.

The Stapleton Swap. The Body of Christ.

The need demands it. Jesus prayed for it.

Yes indeed… I need help. We need help.

“…it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part?… But now I want to lay out a far better way for you. 1 Corinthians 12: 28, 31 (The Message)

Together and better for it.