13 Aug Ezer: It’s Who We Are

In the midst of a recent crisis, God showed one of our readers how he can use all things for his glory and for good, even the most painful situations.

Earlier this summer, Debi fell off of a ladder and broke her pelvis and  sacrum (which actually means sacred) in five places.  While friends surrounded her and her family with love, support and much needed help, a visit from her niece illustrated what it means to be an ezer and to allow others to ezer you.  Here’s what Debi had to say,

After the accident, “Gina, my 23 year old niece called from Denver  and offered to fly out to help me.  My husband and I agreed that we really did need the help, so we accepted her offer.

As the week went by, two things hit me. First, I realized that God allowed this whole thing to happen so that Gina and I could have the week together. We had not had an extended period of one-on-one time since before her mom (my sister) died 5 years ago. God moved, healed, and reconnected us in a new way. It was incredible. Was it worth it? Amazingly, yes (I know, I can’t believe I typed that, but it’s true).

Second, by the end of the week I realized that she was truly an ezer in the deepest sense of the word. The day she arrived, she sat on my bed and asked me what I really WANTED done…she took notes as she really listened. When she left yesterday, they were all crossed off.  She was not just about cleaning up the mess after dinner…she was all about helping me get rid of “The Piles” (you know those ones that nag you every time you pass by them …Target returns, mail to prioritize, a pile of things for Goodwill, packages to assemble and mail)  As each pile disappeared, I felt lighter.

She was not just about making sure my kids were fed and had their teeth brushed, I heard her counseling them in ways that they could take initiative in helping out so I was not tempted to lift or do something that would set me back.

This is a person who has never even heard the word Ezer, or seen the tag: Invite, Nurture, Partner, but that is exactly what she did. She “invited” herself into the chaos that a crisis brings. She “nurtured” me and my family by providing for our basic needs without being asked. She “partnered” with me and got my home to a place that I never dreamed it would be in the midst of this. She owned my cause. It is so WHO SHE IS. IT IS WHO WE ARE.

God broke the “sacred” in me. I actually heard it when I hit the floor. I am very independent, and He took that away from me. But He gave me so much more. There is a peace in being exactly where He wants you, even if it is not where you had planned to be. I am so incredibly thankful that He allowed me to know on this side of Heaven the “why”?  We don’t always get that. Somehow that has made it all okay.

It’s not over yet, I can’t drive for two more months! So if anyone out there has time to take me to physical therapy, I promise to accept your help!”