Lessons in Grace

AS most of you know, this has been a busy time as I try and get so much done before I'm off my feet from the surgery that I am having tomorrow. Many people have lovingly offer their help but I've kinda just been ploughing through it on my own- wanting things done my way, not wanting to put undue burden on my friends and family.

On Friday, a friend threw a wrench in my plans. I needed to get some stuff from his place before Monday, it would only take about 30mins, he said. I was pissed! Yeah 30mins of his time..but then I would have extra stuff at my house that was reorganized anyway, so really it was probably more like 3 hours of time. I didn't even really have the 30mins let alone 3hrs!!!! But it had to be done...FINE! I decided to leave work earlier than I was going to and get it done now. It didn't help that on the way to his place, he decided to berate me for not adapting to change well and for being so grumpy. Thanks! that's really helping.
When packing up, he got stung by a wasp and had his first severe reaction which required us to spend 4 hours at the urgent care while they got him stablized. Events don't happen by accident and God couldn't have put my friend with someone more understanding of a medical crisis that was interupting plans and lifestyle. My friend and I have a lot of very similiar characteristics and coping methods as we are both independant, single adults. And we bickered and struggled as I tried to explain that he needed help and his immediate and continuing rejections of my offers of support were very hurtful. We're both rather stubborn. It was frustrating and exhausting for both of us.
But I learned a lot about myself and the way I need to respond during the next few weeks. Like the following:
1-Yes I can probably do a lot of things on my own, but I will be putting myself at much more risk than is necessary and just making it harder on everyone.
2-People's offers of help are gifts of grace. When I reject these and the love that surround them, I am hurting my friends and that is just not necessary.
3-Not everything I wanted to get done is going to happen. I need to be gracious and ask for the help I need, accepting that it may not be done the way that I am most comfortable with.
4-That I need to be grateful that God has surrounded me with such caring, loving and giving people who just want to care for me.

My friend is feeling better. I'm not sure if he has fully realised the impact the event had on his life and how it effects those around him. I pray that he too is surrounded by people who love and care for him. I pray that he learns, as I have, to trust in those gifts of help and grace and that life is even better when shared in a community who loves and accepts you.