Lessons Learned

I'm a little torn today. You see, I believe certain things happen for a reason, even if it doesn't affect my life in an immediate positive way. I'm in the habit of bracing myself through the storms. Right now, I consider myself braced yet expecting the storm to pass. Of course, the storm is a consequence of a choice (or rather a series of choices) that were consciously made or procrastinated decisions which usually means the choice is made for me.

I believe people should suffer the consequences. I think it teaches lessons. It teaches us to make our own choices before someone else makes them for us. It helps us choose the right thing. Consequences are good.

I'm torn because people want to help bail me out of the storm. There are many people that care about me (and my husband) and don't want to see us going through this storm. We have both agreed there are lessons to be learned in the storm and they are lessons we need. But when someone stretches out their hand to help, it removes the strength and power of the lesson. Maybe that means that the lesson we thought we needed to learn is that there are people here that care about us. It's good to know that, even if it removes some of the power of the storm we're in.

It reminds me of this story that is most likely not true, but I've heard it enough that it comes to mind. There is a town where there is a severe storm coming with floods expected. A certain man had a neighbor stop at his house to help him evacuate. The man rejects the ride and says "The Lord will provide". A few hours pass, flood waters have come and a small row boat comes to the house, offers the man a ride. He rejects the assistance and says "the Lord will provide". The waters rise and the man is on his roof. A helicopter comes by and offers to help the man. He rejects it and says again "the Lord will provide". At the end the man drowns and is met on the "other side". He is asked why he didn't accept the help the Lord sent in the neighbor, the row boat and the helicopter.

So, is it flooding and I'm turning down help? Eh, I suppose I should get help where I can get it, even if the lesson we "wanted" is lost.