It was one of those weeks. Back pain, fatigue, migraines. School assignments and ministry tasks were piling up. The kids were stir-crazy from watching too much tv and eating nothing but peanut butter sandwiches. Heck with my “best,” even my survival mode was not enough. 

I logged onto my seminary’s virtual small group meeting, because I knew they would ask me what was wrong if I wasn’t there. I didn’t want to talk about it. What good would it do? They’re students, they don’t have ministries or families to look after, they don’t understand.

Except you don’t have go through the same experiences as someone to listen, encourage, and care for them. As a cross-cultural worker, I should know better than anyone that Christians can minister God’s word and practically demonstrate His love to people who are different from them. I guess I’m a slow learner. 

When they asked me how I was doing, I couldn’t hold back tears. I’m exhausted, discouraged, alone. My family is on the other side of the world, my church friends are busy with their own jobs and families, my co-workers assume that because I’m American and have more financial resources than them, I don’t need their help. 

I didn’t say all these things, but they got it anyway. Before I knew it, these young Bible college students, most of them scraping by on scholarship funds, were chipping in to order meals to be delivered to my house. 

I almost said, “Oh, you don’t need to do that,” or “Thanks so much, it’s such a kind offer, I don’t want to inconvenience you.” Sometimes we think we are being humble by refusing, not wanting others to serve us. But if we aren’t willing to receive, we are denying to ourselves and others that we have weakness. What is that if not pride? We know pride as denying our need for God…it is equally denying our need for one another, even and especially those who have less than us.  

In Philippians 2:25 and 4:10-19, we read that Paul received financial support from the Philippian church. He received it graciously. He is content in any situation, so he doesn’t need it, but he willingly allows them to bless him.  He demonstrates that receiving a gift honors the giver, and allows them to answer God’s call to hospitality, mercy, and generosity. 

God has promised to supply all of our needs. Are you ready to receive that provision, regardless of who God uses to bring it?