All these pop songs I listen to go on about how hard it is to say those three little words, but I just struggle with saying one word – No. One thing we all heard as kids was to “just say no.” It’s a shame that the only time I was told to do this was when it was in response to drugs and alcohol. I had no idea how useful this lesson would be later in life. It seems that I had no problem putting this lesson to use when I was offered these things, I just never learned to say no to anything else.
I really suck at saying no. It’s barely in my vocabulary. I discovered that it’s even harder for me to say no when it’s church/ministry related. I feel selfish whenever I say it, so I try no to, but then I end up getting worn out and no one wins. I’ve been attending Deep Water for almost 3 years and in those 3 years I’ve been part of the media team, the set up/tear down team, I’ve helped set up and tear down the well, I was on the connection team, and currently I’m on the prayer team, I’m a teller and I help set up and tear down communion. I’m also involved in the luvHali and luvHaiti ministries. I got involved in almost all of these ministries by saying yes and agreeing to fill in for someone. I’m not complaining by any means, and I’m glad that I am seen at Deep Water as someone who is willing to step in when someone needs help. I like being someone that they can count on.
I also like going to church and maybe just once in a blue moon be able to sit in the back and not have to worry about getting here or there at a certain time during the service or making sure we don’t run out of this and that. It can get distracting sometimes.
Is it selfish to want to take a break sometimes or take a step back from a few things? Those extremely rare times that I do say no to something I’m racked with guilt for hours. Sometime it probably would have been easier for me to just do whatever it was, but then if I don’t have servant’s heart while I’m doing it, is it really helpful?
I feel that this is an important lesson to learn and something that God has been trying to teach me for awhile now, but I’m still really struggling with it. I really need to know and believe that it’s okay to say no sometimes and that it doesn’t make me a jerk to do so. I’ve still got a ways to go though.
