I was sitting there having some wings and drinking a nice tall water at a pub downtown tonight [technically last night; this is a slight back-post], sharing my testimony with some friends—two I met within the past two weeks, the third I’ve only known since January of last year.

I tell you what, when I prayed for friends so desperately last winter, I never realized I’d be so blessed as I have been. But it took getting out there and pounding the pavement, too. It hit home with me tonight, over and over again, that the Lord answered my prayers when I stopped feeling sorry for myself and reached beyond myself to be a minister to others. There are some situations where God really reaches me through my willingness to focus on Him instead of my need. I think that’s important across the board. Last fall, I was waiting for people to just fall into my lap; finally in winter I [1] got involved in a Bible study, and my wellness grew in proportion to my willingness to be there for others.

It’s not true that “God helps those who help themselves,” however much people quote Franklin as Scripture; He helps those, rather, who know they are beyond help except from Him. But neither does he reward those who sit and sulk. Amen.

I was sitting there having some wings and drinking a nice tall water at a pub downtown tonight [technically last night; this is a slight back-post], sharing my testimony with some friends—two I met within the past two weeks, the third I’ve only known since January of last year.

I tell you what, when I prayed for friends so desperately last winter, I never realized I’d be so blessed as I have been. But it took getting out there and pounding the pavement, too. It hit home with me tonight, over and over again, that the Lord answered my prayers when I stopped feeling sorry for myself and reached beyond myself to be a minister to others. There are some situations where God really reaches me through my willingness to focus on Him instead of my need. I think that’s important across the board. Last fall, I was waiting for people to just fall into my lap; finally in winter I [2] got involved in a Bible study, and my wellness grew in proportion to my willingness to be there for others.

It’s not true that “God helps those who help themselves,” however much people quote Franklin as Scripture; He helps those, rather, who know they are beyond help except from Him. But neither does he reward those who sit and sulk. Amen.