I’ve been thinking about friends and friendship recently. I love being a friend. I love doing for my friends. But I find it difficult to accept when friends do for me.

There, I’ve said it. I want to help, not be helped. I don’t mind inconveniencing myself, but I am loath to ask someone else to be inconvenienced on my behalf. Yet, this week that’s the precise position I’ve been in.

You see, I’m planning a launch party and book-signing for my first book, One Year Alone with God with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell Books). The party is in two days, and in order to do this right, I need help. Lots of help.

Enter: my friends. My church family has come alongside to celebrate with me and to provide the help I need. I can’t begin to list the people who’ve been inconvenienced –  oops, I mean glad to help. People baking, hostessing, selling books, taking pictures, greeting, helping with the facilities, managing the accounting, posting flyers…and of course, those who will attend the party on Saturday.

Instead of apologizing for their inconvenience, I’m learning to say, “Thank you.”

It’s not easy. But it’s the friendly thing to do.

How have you been helped by a friend this week?
How have you helped out a friend this week?