One of the biggest things I have been learning since moving to North Minneapolis and entering into intentional communities, is asking for help. I naturally have a self righteous tendency to not want help, not want anyone to offer me a favor, or anything of the like. This goes for a wide variety of things-from just getting help fixing something to asking for prayer to evening receiving something as simple as a back massage.
Anyway, it is something I am aware of and working on-and have had some good experiences in the past week to affirm that this is an area of my life where I need a lot of growth. I had a conversation with two of my mentors in the area of finance. I needed some sound advice and discernment from people who understand the practical and spiritual, and understand me and my life. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but most of the conversation ended up being about me being able to except the help of someone who loaned me money. I didn't realize how much guilt and weight I was feeling around that, and my faithful friends helped me to see how if we are truly trying to live a Kingdom centered life, then we are going to have to depend on one another. God desires for us to be connected and a community, and it is not possible to do this living in isolation. Even though I know that this person doesn't have any strings attached to this loan, and is lovingly let me pay on my own terms, I still have to overcome my natural feelings to let her give to me in this way. It takes me understanding that she knows the Spirit in me and can give out of the Spirit in her. That is the body of Christ.
After that conversation (which was a lot deeper than that, but that's the gist) I was able to experience community lived out in my neighborhood. I have to say I love Minnesota, especially the snow, and I think that it brings out the neighborlyness in people. (usually!) Anyway, I tried to plow out (in my little Saturn) of the end of my alley and got totally stuck. Overcoming my first instinct, I decided to knock on the alley-neighbor's door and ask for help. A friend, who is latino, came out to help me shovel. Soon we asked his mother to come out and help, who happens to only speak spanish. After that didn't work a man, who is black, pulled up to help push with his van. After he successfully pushed me back another neighbor came out of his house, who's accent told me he is clearly from another country, to help shovel. After all of this, I got out and we all cheered. How beautiful to have such a rich tapestry of people help me out, displaying the glorious design of the Creator in human beings and showing me again that it is in fact, okay to ask for help.
My pastor told me yesterday that if you are going to move into the hood you have to let people help you out. I am learning....
