Emerging Courageous Online Magazine

Emerging Courageous Online Magazine - Stories

"God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" by Betty King

God and I had this big conversation in the back yard today. He said "Go for it," and I went.

I have MS, a disease I've lived with for over thirty-five years. I certainly don't blame God, because He is my source of strength. We communicate on a daily bases, so if I can be heard talking when no one is around, rest assured I don't need the men in white coats.

My dog Missy had lunch, then it was time for her backyard outing. I decided I could use a little fresh air myself. I saw her tennis ball laying at the back of the yard, I surmised she'd overlooked it, so I drove my three wheel scooter out to the back where bricks divide the grass and rocks. Well, I got stuck!

"Here we are again God, got myself in another fix." He's delivered me from more than one disaster, pretty much had his hands full with me. "Now what do you suggest God?"

I had one cane and no phone; it was about one hundred feet to my back door and I knew I was up horse creek. "Now God, we have gotten out of these predicaments before, "What you want me to do here?" As usual the sky did not part and bellowing voices shout out instructions. Yet, I knew the man upstairs had descended the steps and was right beside me because in these dire circumstances I remained calm.

It was 1:00 pm and I knew it may be 7:00 before my husband got home. "Missy do you think you could get Mama Betty the telephone," Missy has often fetched Bill for me, but she's never been trained in phone fetching. "So, God what is it I need to do here?"

"What was that, God helps those who help themselves?" Well, I guess you're right. "So I know I can't walk by myself, I only have one cane. You know I tried that and that won't work. As hard as I've tried I can't budge this scooter, so what's left. Crawl? God you know what happens when I get down, I can't get up! That's a long way God – can we do that? I know, I don't have much choice here do I? OK, here goes!"

"Betty, go for it!" God and I are on a first name bases, you know.

"As usual it's me and you God." I'm sure God realized that; He knows Missy's capabilities as well. He sent her to me as a companion, not a miracle worker.

So here I go crawling, talking to myself and God too. Here comes Missy thinking mama was going to play and started barking and running around eager to join in the fun. "No Missy; Mama's not playing here." She catches on standing back watching the show.

"Mama Betty, you kind of look like a Hippo out of water." I could almost hear her bark.

"I wannna cry God! I know it won't do any good. Help me here. OK I'll sit up on this numb bottom for awhile; I must be a lovely sight." I knew it wouldn't do me, Missy or God any good for me to sit there bawling as much as I wanted to. I rested a spell and worked at getting back on my knees; thanking God for the path free of Missy's back yard fertilization.

I see the door up ahead looking like a mirage. I prod on letting my knees lead, God encouraging me and Missy wondering what in Heavens name her mommy is doing playing this silly game, she's not allowed to participate in.

Moving at the pace of a turtle and looking like a Hippo, I see the patio coming up and I question God's ability in getting me across that concrete without tearing up my knees. God instructs me not to worry about that until I get there, so I leave that for His concern.

In my mind, glimpses of me emerge; a sixty year old woman crawling on her hands and knees in the middle of January talking to God, while her dog watches in awe, plays over and over and I know this scenario is going to be funny when I think about it tomorrow. I surmise too that God must have a sense of humor as he crawls along with me. "We're going to make it God," I inform Him, as if He didn't know.

"Whew, made it to the patio God; now help me here, this isn't going to be easy."

"I got you this far didn't I; you think a little concrete is going to get in my way?"

"I should know better than to limit you. OK, let's go."

"Betty, go for it! With my help you can do anything."

"You're right God; we've been through lots together there is no stopping us now!"

The concrete made itself known to my knees, but God's presence was felt even more. I crawled the length of the patio, managing to get up the ramp into the family room. "Thank heaven, God; now to reach the phone."

With God's help I managed the call. When my son walked through the door, I thanked God and said "This is going to make a great story!" He got me up, retrieved my scooter and I was almost as good as new.

"I know, I know I shouldn't have been out by myself without the phone," I later tell my son and husband. "Yeah, yeah, I know I'm lucky; it could have been worse."

I'm glad that there is something I never forget though, nor ever forgets me. God is my constant companion and guide. God is my faithful helper. I also realize that God helps those who help themselves and today proved just that. "Without Him I can do nothing; with Him I can do all things."

"Today God, we did it!"

Betty King Copyright 2002
baking2@charter.net

*Editors Note: Check out Betty's site and her stories of courage.
http://www.betty.newsmoose.com/

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