"He's a self-made man."
       I've heard that expression before & you probably have too.  It's normally made in reference to someone who started with nothing  or almost nothing and through hard work and making good business decisions, they built a business and became successful.  So, they are referred to as a "self-made man."  In other words, they didn't inherit a business; they built a business.
      But, is that statement true?  Is anyone really a "self-made man?"  The answer is "No." 
       First, everyone is dependent on God so no one can factually say "I did it on my own."  The Bible says "every good and perfect gift comes from above." 
       Second, most people if not all people who are successful have been helped by someone across the course of  their lives.  I am going  out on a limb a little here because there might be someone who never had any help from anyone.  I guess that' is possible.  But, that's rare.  Most people have had help from someone. 
      Maybe that help came in the form of a loan to  start a business or time invested in someone to  teach them a craft or a trade or, maybe it was  words  of encouragement or maybe a contract for a job.  There are many ways it could happen but most of us have been helped by someone so technically, we can't say "I'm a self-made man" because someone has helped us at some point.
      This week, I've been reading a book by Rich Devos entitled Ten  Powerful  Phrases for Positive People. One of  the  phrases that he suggests is "I need you."  He lists several different examples that illustrate how we all need one another. 
      One example he cities is that of aircraft flying over the Atlantic.  He says that when one  is flying over the Atlantic, pilots are totally dependent on air traffic controllers because there is no radar.  Air traffic controllers can see all the aircraft in the air.  They may tell one to go lower and another to go higher to prevent aircraft from colliding.  So, pilots need air traffic controllers when flying over the Atlantic.
      All of us need others at times.  Today, there may be someone who needs a word of encouragement from you.  Or, you may be asked to help someone.  If we aren't careful, we can ignore a plea for help.  Be careful about doing that because each one of us has been helped by someone or by many people.  We would not be where we are without the help of others.  
      Two songs come to  mind as I type this.  One is new and the other is fairly old.
      First, the old song.  Many of you are familiar with it. It speaks of our need to be helped by others;,
      "Sometimes in our lives, We all have pain  We all have sorrow. 
       But if we are wise  We know that there's always tomorrow.
       Lean on me, When you're not strong, And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry  on.
       For, it won't be long, Till I'm gonna need.  Somebody to lean on."
       Then,  the new song.  The group Lady Antebellum has a hit song entitled "Need You Now."  The lyrics are "It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need You now." 
       We all need the  help of others..  someone to lean on.   Someone may need to lean on you today.