Ask for Gum
“Does anyone have any gum?”
A few weeks ago at work, Lauren asked for gum. She walked down the hallway and asked those within earshot if they had any for her. She’s done this before, but this particular time, her ask made an impression on me.
Asking for something is more than just seeking what you’d like. It’s being dependent. It’s being vulnerable. (Well, maybe not so much when asking for gum; unless you admit that you have bad breath.) It’s acknowledging that your needs in that moment are affected by another’s response. What a great message Lauren's asking for gum left me with!
Admittedly, I am too reliant on myself. As a kid in school, I disliked group projects. Part of that was because of who the teachers assigned in my group, but part of it was because I just wanted to do the work MYSELF. As an adult, I still put my head down and push through situations rather than take the time or humble myself to ask for help.
Asking for gum is a small ask, but it represents our ability to ask others for help, for prayers, for advice, a hug, insight, or a second opinion.
When we rely on self and don’t ask others for “gum,” we can become frustrated that we don’t have any “gum.” We internalize emotions that are not helpful to get us through the day. We close off others, become trapped in our own situation, and may even feel helpless. We may miss out on the best gum ever if we don’t ask others for gum.
When we ask for “gum,” we rely on others. We somewhat die to self and give others the opportunity to help us. In turn, they likely feel good about providing us gum, and ultimately, we have the ability to build community. There is so much potential for collaboration and synergy when we ask others for “gum!”
Father Derick shared an African proverb with us that says it all: “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk with someone.”
During this busy and bustling month of May, may we remember to ask for gum. May we turn to others in our time of need and recognize our God-given community. May we find peace in collaborating with others and trust in their ability to provide what we need.