Have you ever found yourself inviting an older relative over to some family event and they ask: “should I bring anything?” and you say, ‘no, you don’t have to bring anything- just come over.’ ….

Believe it or not, this might be the wrong thing to say. Our older relatives have had amazing lives, full of sacrifice and labor and they are very skilled at a lot of things- but no one has asked them to do anything for a while. They still have the ability and would love to be asked to rise to an occasion- and then to be told how great they did- again, just like the older times they remember.

Its the Need to be Needed. We all have it.

Raising children is kind of, extremely, one-sided-love for a long time. You have the baby- you hold the baby, change the baby, kiss the baby, photograph the baby, dress the baby, hug the baby, feed the baby, teach the baby how to walk, love the baby- and wait for the baby to say your name- Mama or Dada and then- for the baby to reach for you- for a hug, or when its scared, or sad or tired. And you are glad to be the one who your baby reaches for and you will do anything for this baby.

Then the baby grows up a little an can do things by themself. And you have somehow succeeded- you were training them for this moment- but somehow, now they need you a little less. Of course, you should not think of this in this way, because your job is to make an individual who can accomplish things and be responsible.

Next thing you know, they become ungrateful, selfish teenagers who think you don’t know anything. (remember when you did it!)(we all did) -Hopefully, you got over yourself, apologized and are getting your Mom something nice for Mothers day.

God made man in His image. Some of the things we feel- God feels as well. The Need to be Needed. You need God. (for a variety of reasons- forgiveness, salvation, healing, hope etc) But we were created to be in relationship with God (Ephesians, Ch 1) (and don’t get tripped up in “pre-destination” stuff- it just means that when Jesus made the way- there was room for all who would be born in the future to accept His sacrifice)

so- God needs you. He misses you. He wants to be with you now. Not just in eternity, but in this life. He wants to hear that you still need Him. He can still do amazing stuff- so maybe we need to ask Him. Ask Him for something that only He can do- Tell Him what you need in private so that He can meet your needs and you will know it was God who did it!

God is a show off. He is God. so it’s really ok.

Next time you are talking to an older relative- ask them about how they used to do all that they did- without all the technology that we have today- Don’t let their lives of labor go by un-noticed. And- forced retirement sucks, so you can always ask if they would like to bring something to your event- then they can opt out if they want. 😉

**hot tip** Tell whoever does the cooking- something nice about what they did- sometimes its the only ‘payment’ they get and they will take great care of you, and it will give them a reason to shine- because you will have given them an audience.