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I have always been pretty self-sufficient. As a child, my parents were determined to make sure I had the skills necessary to be a functional adult. I learned to cook, clean, do laundry, balance a check book, sew the holes in my dads socks (they also got us to do plenty of work that way). These are all skills that have greatly benefited me in life. 

From the time my mom bought me a car, she said: “Now get a job so you can help me pay for it,” I have been determined to make it on my own. I paid my car payment as best I could, filled my gas tank and contributed as much as possible to any other bills that came about.

If there was ever a way I could provide for myself, I was going to make it happen. I didn’t need to be “taken care of” or provided for. I took care of myself. I refused to ask for help through most of my adult life, so much so that I can count on one hand the number of times I have asked my parents for any sort of substantial amount of money, and even then, repaid it as quickly as I could. 

One of the many lessons the Race has taught me so far is that… as uncomfortable as it is… this isn’t always the answer. 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
 
  • We aren’t built to struggle alone.
  • We are all parts of the body of Christ. No one part is meant to do the work of the whole thing. 
  • He calls us to carry each others burdens: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
  • Voicing our struggles and concerns allows us to lean on each other and point each other to Christ.
  • Leaning on each other shows trust in God. It allows us to use our gifts in different ways for the better of each other and the kingdom. 
  • God giving us people… is a blessing.
  • God is glorified in our weakness.

Through the course of the race, I have had many personal struggles and have learned to treat them the way the Lord calls us to: by relying on each other and relying on him. Recently, he has revealed to me that I don’t have as good a grip on that idea as I thought I did (big surprise). I have no problem relying on him when it comes to what he needs me to do on the race, or who he has entrusted me with, or anything emotional or spiritual. But… the thing I still keep trying to do on my own is finances and taking care of my material possessions. Which brings me to my next thing… I NEED HELP! Who can help me? Who is willing to help me!?!? … Wow, some of those things are really hard for me to say, but here’s my situation:

 1. I am still raising funds to be able to stay in the field. We currently have $14,603 raised of the $17,417 needed in order for me to be fully funded. I rest fully in knowing that this is exactly where God has called me and in that, he will provide, but in order for me to continue I will have to raise the remainder of these funds. If you feel called please HELP ME OUT! If you don’t or can’t, please continue to pray for me, share this with your friends, let your church leaders know, share on Facebook, Instagram and any other platform you use. Get the word out so I can stay!

2. I still own my home in Milan, MO. Basically since I bought the home 3 years ago there has been a nagging leak somewhere in the ceiling. I’ve had multiple people check it, check the roof, seal things, replace things, change things and we just can’t find it. Now, having tenants there, it’s becoming even more of an urgent issue. We still can’t figure out what’s wrong and are now thinking we may have to replace all or part of the roof. I NEED HELP! If you know anyone that is trustworthy in the area that could check it out, or may be willing to help out with supplies, labor … anything… I am at a loss. We also have had it checked out by insurance and know it won’t be covered, so if anyone has any experience with stuff like this and has some wise words, I’ll take all the help I can get. 

 

So… That’s where I’m at. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts, prayers, shares and all the support that has been provided so far and I really appreciate those of you who read these. Feel free to contact me on Facebook or comment through here!

-Dacey