My cane is my trusted companion, it goes with me everywhere. Days when I forget it, are torturous.  I can walk without it, but I have trouble with my balance and sometimes I wobble.  I’ve been lucky enough lately (where’s that wood to knock on?) to not fall.  I tell myself,” weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down.” (You will only understand that statement if you grew up in the era I did with the toys we had.)

The most frustrating part for me is although my cane has been of great comfort and help to me, sometime’s it is not enough. She gets me up the steps when I can’t do it on my own, but walking long distances, unless there is seating available, is pretty much out of the question.  My heart feels like it will explode out of my chest and my breathing becomes labored.

After much deliberation and praying and asking God for guidance, I ordered a Rollator Walker, with a padded seat, today.  It should be here by next Wednesday.  I am so excited! I have always loved taking walks and being outside, but had pretty much given up on that with the issues I have.  Now, Obviously, I cannot go hiking in the woods as in the past, but just being able to go outside and walk in our lovely neighborhood will be an adventure!

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you know that sometimes you have to ask for assistance or find something such as these and use for assistance because you need it, but just don’t want to ask? It could be using an assistive medical device or maybe you are struggling in another area of your life and need prayer.

I have found in my own life, that even when I know I need something to help me, asking for help is not always easy.  I love helping others, but helping myself usually falls last on the list.  I put everyone else’s needs above mine. Why do we do that to ourselves?

As a wife, mother, grandmother I always put my husband, my children and grandchildren’s needs above me. If I need to wait, so be it. That is how I have always been until walking became such an issue.

For me part of the problem was, I am still fairly young (51) and using a walking device to get around, what would other’s think? Is she just too lazy? If she would lose weight she wouldn’t need that? All kinds of thoughts rolled through my crazy brain, and then I remembered two important facts.

1. I have a medical disorder that requires assistance.
2. God will not view me any less worthy because I need to use this and His opinion is the only one that truly matters.

It is very easy to get caught up in what people think or perceive. All of us want acceptance in the world.  We don’t want to be stared at or gawked at.  Maybe, my perceptions are skewed to a degree because I have seen how cruel the world can be toward people that have visible and invisible illnesses. Often times, pride gets in the way too.

1 John 2:16-17 The Message (MSG)

15-17 Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

So, I guess what I am trying to say and not very well, is this: when you need help ask for it; don’t let your pride get in the way and when other’s offer help, accept it. God wants us to build relationships with one another, while also having relationship with him. Community is important.  Community with one another helps us to encourage each other when needed and love each other.  Thank God for the people he has placed in your life to be your comforter.

May all of you be blessed and know how much Jesus loves you!

Until next time-much love,

Carlene