Is There a Need?

"He who sees a need

and waits to be asked for help

is as unkind as if he had refused it."

~ Dante Alighien

I've been chewing on this quote for over a week now.

It really is so profound, and so relevant to me at this season of my life.

I feel it's truth speaking to me in the deep places within.

Maybe it's because this is the first time I have found myself

in a place of weariness, overwhelmed with lack of energy

and my body's inability to do things it needs to do.

How often are we surrounded by people who are quick to say,

"Give me a call if you need anything!"

And perhaps

with good intention.

Or perhaps it's just their stock response,

and in reality they hope you don't need anything.

And perhaps you have been the one behind those words.

I confess I have been the one behind those words at one time or another.

But I acknowledge that so many of us, especially women, will never ask for help,

even when we so desperately need it.

 

And then there are those people who just show up.

They don't ask, and they don't wait for you to ask.

They just show up.

They bring you a meal.

Or they rescue you from your towering pile of laundry.

They take your kids off of your hands for the day.

They send an encouraging note/email/text.

Or an unexpected package.

They offer a prayer over the phone.

The simplest gestures truly do make all the difference.

This is the kind of person I want to be. That I long to be. That I am determined to be.

The kind of person who simply responds.

The kind of person who just shows up.

Perhaps when we find ourselves in our greatest need,

our solace can be found in offering ourselves to someone else that we see in need.

 

Since I tend to speak my love through food, tomorrow I plan to make some surprise deliveries.

What about you?

Know anyone in need?

 

Keep Shining Sweet Bellas!