Either my personality or my Chinese upbringing makes me 客氣 (I don’t really know an English equivalent) and not liking to 麻煩 (inconvenience) other people.
When I was younger and more shy, there would be a dish or snack I really wanted to eat, but I’d usually go without it instead of having to ask someone to pass it or get some for me.
And I’d rather try to take a heavy box down myself instead of ask a guy standing around because I’d feel 不好意思 (bad…for lack of a better word).
But last week, I got an email that made me consider how letting others help you can honor them. It was just a short note from a 12-year-old girl in my Sunday School class. She was very overwhelmed and stressed with school projects, exams, and a competition (yeah, and only 12 – welcome to HK school life! =P) so was asking for prayer.
I was really happy that she would share and give me the privilege of encouraging her now knowing her struggle. I was excited to be able to pray for her according to her need.
Through her little email and my response in receiving it, I started thinking how asking people for help isn’t always a bother, but gives them the joy of serving you. It actually honors others when you allow them to help you. I enjoy whenever I’m able to help people, so why should I consider others as less generous?
The body of Christ is to support each other and bear one another’s burdens. From things as small as passing something you need to as serious as asking for counsel, let’s have the humility to ask for help and allow God to bless us through others!
