I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121: 1-2)

Helping can be a very subtle skill. It is often easier to do something for another. It can sometimes be simple to solve another's immediate problem. It is much more challenging to help another.

When we seek help we typically need an extra arm or eye to lift or find something. But we do not expect our helper to do it alone.

When we help a friend find something, we both look and the friend is as likely to find it as are we. When we help a neighbor move something heavy, the strength of each is needed.

When we help an elderly person clean their house or yard, care is needed to preserve the dignity of the one who is being helped. When we help a child on a school project we seek to inspire, encourage, and perhaps give clues. We should not take over the project.

God is our helper. We should always be ready to ask for and accept help. We should listen carefully for God's counsel. We should be ready to undertake our share of the task.

The fourth verse of Psalm 121 reads, "He who watches over Israel, slumbers not nor sleeps." Felix Mendelssohn used this as a text for his oratorio Elijah. A real media recording of the chorus is available from Charles K. Moss.

On November 22 the churches of the Anglican Communion remember C.S. Lewis who died on this day in 1963. Harper-Collins, the author's publisher, provides background on Lewis's life and work.