you can do it

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."*

 

I am a control freak. There, I have said it. Being away from home has driven that out into the open (again!), evident as I fidget and worry. ...I cannot plan events, because I am not arround to see it through. I cannot give suggestions, because it doesn't impact me. I cannot attend meetings. I cannot rally around and with people. I cannot organise group socials. I cannot do so many things!!!

It's hard hearing that a group is struggling and being unable to help. It's hard watching people try new things that one knows how to do well, and not do it for them. It's hard letting people make their own mistakes. It's hard being too far away to sometimes be of help.

But why do I think that I am the only one to be able to do the things I do? Why do I doubt the talented people I know are waiting for the opportunity to come out of the woodworks and dazzle us with hidden talents! Why don't I trust that God will provide the people needed to achieve His plans. And maybe it won't all turn out the way I had planned, maybe because I am not there. But also maybe, becase I cannot control everything that happens!

So, I am trying to learn how to say "you can do it" to others. Giving them the opportunity and space to see what they can do. Giving God the opportunity to do and be Himself in my (and others) life. And in the process, I am telling myself "you can do it" --as in, I can allow others to do things, without my help.

It reminds me of a hymn I used to sing in church, which begins:

"Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too."**

 

For some, myself included, it is easy to serve others. Or at least believe we are serving them! But the challenge is to allow others to serve us. To help us when we can't do it alone. To ask for advice when we don't know what to do. To trust someone to fix something, or make something for us. To delegate tasks and allow others to do them, even if they are precious to us.

 

In going away, I have physically ensured that I cannot be in the way of others and boss them around. I hope it is, in a way, a service. I trust that they can do it without me, because truthfully I am not the super woman that I sometimes think I am! But I also hope that I will be open and thankful to those who reach out and serve me--- where ever I am in the world!

The problem should not be WHO did it, but HOW. To form a stronger, healthier, happier whole, we should use our strengths and talents to serve one another. And accept that we cannot do everything by ourselves!

*1 Peter 4:10
**"Brother, Sister let me serve you"