Helper: Not just your everyday calendar magnet mover

A wimpy woman only helps herself, but a strong woman is a Helper to those around her.

 In Genesis 2:20-21, God give Eve purpose and a role as a Helper:

But for Adam no suitable helper was found.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Now, when I was in first grade, every week, Ms. Springer would designate her "Helper" for the week. The week my chance came, I could hardly contain my excitement. I was going to be the "Helper" changing the world (or maybe just my class) forever! 

It didn't take me too long to catch on to the fact that a first grader helper, really was just the student that moved the calendar magnet from Mon to Tues, Tues to Wed, etc.  By Wed, my eyes had been opened and my 1st grade intellect kicked in. I may have been short, but I wasn't dumb! 

Ms. Springer didn't need me to move the magnet. She was a grown woman. Essentially, no one really cared about the magnet anyway. And I had been duped. Being a helper was unimportant and stupid. Virtually, I had no role of life changing proportions and there was no need for my position.

I think we often as women think that being the Helper is just a funny little title given by God that essentially  has not real value or purpose. 

But this word Helper is so so much more than calendar magnet mover. And it is a role that men can’t play and are not made to play

Helper in the Hebrew is Ezer Kenegdo. Ezer’s root words have meanings based in the words power and strength. 

It means in essence an “indispensable companion, a help meet…some one who helps to meet the needs and fill up that which is lacking.” ~John Piper

The word is more than sidekick. It is the same word the Bible uses of God as the Helper of Israel. This word is only used for Woman, God and the Holy Spirit.  A woman as a Helper therefore , Helps meet needs and fill up what is lacking with strength and power to those around her.

I think the world is in great need of women that take a look outside of themselves, outside of the pettiness of fashion, gossip, tv shows and men and looks at how she can make their world better. 

How does this play out in your world? 

Think through your relationships, friendships and the society you live in:

• Does someone need prayer or a shoulder to cry on? 
• Are you a giver in relationships or a taker? 
• Where can you seek to encourage and not discourage?  
• Is there someone you can befriend that others won't?
• Are your eyes open to see the needs around you? 
• Do you point people towards Jesus or to yourself? 

Did you know women, that men will speak often of how when you live as women, specifically as strong helpers, you encourage them to live out of their God given role as leaders?

Daily I hear from multiple women, Where are the men? Where are the Leaders?

I think society has an epedimic currently of passive men. But I think we as woman have contributed to that by trying to take over their role as leader often. When we step into the role of leader and do not fulfill our role as helper, we catapult a vicious cycle, encouraging men to be passive, to step down, and to retreat. When we function independently and pretend like men are not important, we all cause men to shrink back and even cause them to  believe that this is what women want. We are manipulative and aggressive and the farthest from the role of helper. 

Ladies, I challenge you that by us taking over, stepping into their role, we are only encouraging weak wimpy men!  Being a helper means giving men room to move in leadership. 

Encourage them to step up and lead by praying for a meal, or letting them walk you to your car. Defer to them sometimes in decisions and ask their thoughts on appropriate subjects, instead of always being the first to speak or decide. Give them feedback and have thoughts to help them make decisions for a group so they can lead well. Back them up when they make those decisions, and don’t be critical.  Affirm specific things you see them doing that demonstrate Godly qualities. Be women that encourage men to be men!  

Elisabeth Elliot says that "Real women will always be relieved and grateful when men are willing to be men.”

Being a Helper does not mean that you sit idly by, never have a thought or opinion, but that you help and support wherever you can. It doesn’t mean you never lead, but it means you are mindful of how to encourage men to lead and are willing to lead by helping.

 Just as a building is only as strong as its foundations and supports, we need to pillars of strength behind Godly men in this world.

A wimpy woman only helps herself. A strong woman is a Helper of many, meeting needs and filling up what is lacking.

http://www.helpinghandsflorence.org

This blog brought to you by The Society of Ex-Calendar Magnet Movers and by Mrs. Springer, who also made me eat all my ketchup and mustard dipping sauces on Corn Dog day, long after the corn dog was gone.