A favorite Christmas present I received is a sign I have displayed on the book shelf of my office. The sign reads: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

If you read the next verse it says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" Being the pragmatist that I am, I ask the question "how does that really work?"

Well I gained a sense of this proverb in action when I attended the 33rd annual Marriage and Family Institute sponsored by the University of Georgia several weeks ago. The title of the Institute's workshop was Quests and Questions. The presenters took us back to what they call the basics by highlighting how important questions are for understanding our lives. I believe at the heart of Proverbs 3:5-6 is a simply powerful question; "will you help me."

I've been a licensed marriage and family therapist for 20 years. That's a few years down the path, but I didn't get here on my own. At the Institute I searched out Bill Nichols; a prolific author, mentor, and friend. As I began the training to become licensed, I had to take 4 post-doctoral classes. Bill was the instructor in one of those classes and I appreciated his insights and wisdom. I wanted to be supervised by "one of the smart ones" so at the end of one of his lectures, I approached him and asked if he would be my supervisor. In other words, will you help me? He didn't say yes until he interviewed me, but he did say yes. I learn some of the most important lessons in my life being supervised by Bill.

I believe God put Bill on my path, but I had to ask for help. At the Institute I thanked Bill for helping me on my path; a path that always leads straight back to the ones who help us.

Who will you thank for saying yes to you and helping make your path straight?

Prayer for Today

Thank you Lord for placing people on our path at the right time. Help us to ask for help and in doing so, rely not on our own understanding, but rather place our trust in you. Amen.