Asking for Help

 The Autumn work around home taught me a new lesson in humility this year.

When a wild wind just after soybean harvest caused a brown ground-blizzard, we ended up with up to 3-foot drifts of leaves packed in around the raspberries, flower garden, lilacs, and more. 

Dad was still very low on energy and losing muscle due to treatment at that point, and Elsa didn't need to be exposed to all these dusts and sprays as she shouldered more work during Mom's recovery from her second complete knee replacement of the year. So I raked, shoveled, and pitched the dusty leaves over a couple of days before having to admit that the job (on top of all our other autumn work on lawn, gardens, and house) was too much for us. 

Enter: the Body of Christ

Seven adults and three kids from Elsa's and my church arrived one Saturday morning and got us well over the hump in two hours! Two strong guys spent most of the time finishing off the soybean drifts while the rest of us tackled a lawn covered in little branches from one of our wild autumn winds, got the roses tucked in for winter, and more. One helped with his chainsaw, and another was comfortable helping us drive the backhoe with huge buckets full to the burn pit.

Front flower bed: Before & After  all the help covering the roses with dirt and leaves

It was not easy for us to ask for help. But even more than the work completed (which was of more value than can be calculated), we were so blessed by the fellowship and encouragement of our "family." Visiting over deep dish pizzas and homegrown apples was a great way to unwind.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." • Galatians 6:10