Today I’m delighted to introduce you to Jeannie Waters. Besides being an accomplished writer, she is always ready to help and encourage me in my own writing journey.
Jeannie is an award-winning devotional and article writer and blogger. The devotional she is writing will be published in 2023 by Bold Vision Books. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired educator, she understands how women struggle to live in freedom from life’s crippling stress. Her writing equips women to embrace God's encouragement, swap their burdens for 
I know your day will be brightened by her post
“Momma! Come get me down,” my brother would yell from our taller-than-most swing set. Ed’s climbing skills rivaled a monkey’s.
We’d watch through the window as he’d scale the slanted side of the metal frame and pull himself up to the horizontal bar.
Legs dangling, he’d stare downward and yell for help.
Right after Momma rescued him and went inside, up he’d go. Then the familiar call, “Momma! Come get me down.”
I’m sure my inner big sister voice questioned, “Will the little squirt ever learn?”
Momma wanted Ed to learn he could trust her for help.
Recently, our five-year-old granddaughter needed help after she’d struggled and failed to open her tempera paint. She frowned and stomped her foot. “I want to paint, but I can’t open it.”
Her mother smiled. “Sadie, I’m right here. I’m happy to help you.”
Memories of children remind me of myself. At times, I repeat mistakes or stew in frustration over a challenge, denying my lack of skill. I sometimes blame the computer’s lack of intelligence or mumble my natural go-to statement, “I can’t DO this.”
Last night would have been easier if I’d asked for assistance. Neither the clock, the phone charger, nor the bedside lamp worked.
One outlet—three problems.
I considered connecting an extension cord to a working outlet, but my fatigue said no. I tried to read by the adjacent bathroom light. No good. I tried a flashlight but finally gave up.
The next morning my husband said “It’s working now. All you had to do was push the reset button.”
When I remember where my help comes from (Psalm 121:1-2), I pray and trust God to care for me. The more I reset my focus on Jesus, the more I hear Him.
He reminds me to avoid the detours of fear, doubt, and discouragement and choose a direct route to Him. When I lean on my limited understanding and need a refresher course, the Holy Spirit steers me to Truth and reminds me He is my go-to source.
Like the way my mom and Sadie’s mom hoped their children would learn trust, our heavenly Father wants us to call on and depend on Him. He promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8 ESV).
Consider the pattern below.
Activate Triple A When You Need Help
- Ask
Prayer paves the way to walk out our faith in obedience and trust.
What kind of help do you need today? Comfort or joy? Strength or wisdom? Do you long for peace or assurance of His presence? You may lack practical assistance to solve a problem. Ask God.
- Anticipate
When we seek His best, He aligns our hearts with His. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
We can find verses about our concerns in a concordance or online. Philippians 4:19 holds a promise, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Accept
Accept offers from others when necessary. God doesn’t condone laziness or the practice of overburdening friends or family members, but He teaches believers to encourage and serve others.
Let’s Ask, Anticipate, and Accept His help today. Equipped with His guidance and provision, we can “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10).
Try this
Record prayer requests and answers in your journal or phone. From time to time, reread the answers and rejoice in His love and care.
What reminds you to request God’s help? We look forward to your comments.
Discussion
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