Why Don’t You Just Ask?

Too proud to just ask

Just ask. When you need help, when you can’t manage alone, when you just don’t know what to do, find someone who can help. Find someone who has a wealth of wisdom or experience. Then just ask.

Too proud to ask – Marriage

Just ask. My friend and I were out on a lake one day, many moons ago. Our conversation focused on her failed marriage. 

“If you had gone to people earlier, you could have gotten help. You should have found a couple who had a good marriage and asked them how they did it,” I told her.

“Oh, I could never do that. It would be too embarrassing!” She was emphatic.

I shook my head. Her flower beds were a display of color and art. I envied her flower beds, but didn’t know how to do what she did so well. 

“That’s like me saying I wish I could learn to do flower beds like you. But why would I want to ask you?” I said. “That would be too embarrassing because you know what you’re doing and I don’t.” 

Don’t let pride get in the way of getting the right kind of help. Just ask.

Admit that you need help. Then just ask. Find someone who has journeyed the way you are going. Then just ask.

Too proud to ask – Parenting

My friend’s son called her from out-of-state one day. He expressed his frustration with his children who were, according to him, slow to obey, quick to resist, and just plain uncooperative.

“I don’t know what to tell you, son,” she said. “If I lived where you live and could observe, I might have some ideas. Go find a set of parents whose children behave the way you want yours to behave, then go to them and just ask what they are doing to help their kids be obedient.”

Months later, I watched as this son gave an ultimatum to his kids. I watched as they, instantly, obeyed. His mom was watching, too.

Later that evening, his mom told me, “There’s such a change in those kids. I don’t know what that other father told him, but whatever he did, it’s working.”

And to think, he could have been too proud to ask!

too proud to ask – seasons

No matter what your season or frustrations, there is someone who has walked that path. It might be somewhat different from yours. But they have journeyed in those seasons, and their experience can help you. Yet, their experience cannot help you if you don’t seek their advice. When you don’t know what to do, just ask someone you respect and admire. Find someone who can help you take the next step. Just ask.

Photo Credit: Gerd Altman via Pixabay.com