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"Let's go get you a new computer chair," my husband urged.
"No," I responded with a doubtful shake of my aching head. "I'll be okay." I paused to try to rub the stiffness from my neck and shoulders. "I think it's just my glasses. With my bifocals, and I have to tip my chin up to be able to see the screen through the appropriate visual prescription."
He shook his head and began massaging my shoulders, and I proceeded to elevate my chair to its maximum height. Thirty minutes later, I had to take a break because I had could no longer stand the pain in my head, my neck and my shoulders.
"Let's go get you a new chair," my husband repeated.
I just shook my head. We had just moved, and with all the expenses, I couldn't see spending the money required for a new chair. "I think I'll buy cheap reading glasses. That way it won't matter how my head is tipped. I'll still be able to see." And I proceeded to put a 10cm thick book on the seat of my chair. Fifteen minutes later, I had to take another break. My head was pounding, my eyes were strained and I couldn't stand the pain in my neck and shoulders.
"Let's go get you a new chair!"
I have to admit that as I shook my head, I was annoyed. He was starting to sound like a parrot! My old chair had never bothered my eyes before. It couldn't be the chair. Surely it wasn't the new computer desk he had insisted on buying me...
"Here," he said, pushing his computer chair to my desk. "At least try a different chair and see if it will make a difference."
I started to argue, but he had already removed my old chair and was using it at his computer desk.
When my headache had eased a tiny bit, I reluctantly made my way back to the computer and sat down in his chair. It was amazing, but I was able to work for the next 30 minutes without aggravating my headache, and at the end, my neck and shoulders felt better than when I'd begun. Okay...Maybe it was the chair! But why buy a new one when I could use his?
It was about 30 minutes after that when he got up and went looking for his lower back brace. "What's wrong?" I asked.
"It's that chair!" he complained. "It's hurting my back! Let's go buy you a new chair so I can have mine back!"
"No," I continued to argue. "You can have your chair back. I'll just..."
He didn't give me a chance to finish as he ushered me into the car.
The new chair did help. Lots. Why didn't I just accept his offer of help earlier on? Why was I so stubborn about not getting a new chair?
And why am I so stubborn about accepting help in general?
Especially spiritual help?
You see, no matter what problem I face, God is always there, holding out His hand, offering to help me through: "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (Ps. 23:1 NLT).
Why don't I just accept His help?
Sure, He doesn't always remove the problem; but He offers to walk the road with me, to hold my hand, to encourage and to bless me: "He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil." (Ps. 23:2-5a NLT).
And in the end, God is there to even help me understand that it had indeed been a road worth walking: "My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." (Ps. 23:5b,6 NLT)
Let's pray: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for walking the road to Calvary to provide for my every need. Thank You for being there, to walk with me through the valleys, to hold my hand, to guide and protect and comfort me, and thank You that one day I will see why this was a road worth walking. But Lord, I have this problem accepting Your help! Humble me. Help me to reach out to you immediately, so that I don't have to continue to plow through on my own. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!
Anyone want an office chair? I won't make promises as to how comfortable it is, but I have one up for grabs...
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Author, Moderator, the Nugget, with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.answers2prayer.org .
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