The Dreaded Chirp (09/23/2025)

My husband left about 9:15 for my grandson’s home where he’s doing some exterior work to prepare for new siding. He planned on being gone all day. About 15 minutes after he left, I heard it – the dreaded chirp that indicates a low battery on a smoke detector. I sighed and told myself, “Oh, well, this is going to be interesting.” But I thought I could tolerate it until my husband returned. I was wrong.

An hour later, I realized there was no way I could tolerate the repetitive, high pitched, chirp for 8 long hours. But I also knew I couldn’t fix it. The ceilings are 10 feet high. The ladder is hung in the garage above my reach. And the ladder weighs more than I can carry. There was only one thing I could think of doing. I called a neighbor.

Deon was fantastic. He came over, retrieved the ladder, climbed up and instantly dismantled the alarm, changed out the batteries, and reinstalled the detector. He hit the alarm test and all was well – until it wasn’t. Two minutes later it started chirping again. So, we decided that perhaps the replacement batteries were worn out also, so we opened a new package of batteries and ran through the drill again. We stood back and crossed our fingers which turned out to be insufficient. It started chirping again.

Deon explained to me that these detectors have a life expectancy of a decade which is exactly how long the chirper had been in service. “I think you will have to replace it.” And with that, we agreed to take it down, put it on the kitchen counter, and let my husband make the final call. It is still there this morning, sitting in shame on my counter.

One of the hardest things for me do in life is ask for help. I hate admitting to another that I can’t do it myself. I hate having to confess my limitations and weaknesses. I can do it when I have to, but I will tolerate a lot before I reach my “have to” moment. Yesterday was no exception. If that chirp had just been a couple decibels lower, I would have tried to make it.

Am I the only one who hates asking another for help? I accept it gladly and graciously when it is offered like when a young man opens a door for me or asks me if he can help me with my large box. But actually, going to another and asking for help challenges me.

When my husband got home, he was surprised to see the detector on the counter. I explained. It is still there as we try to decide what we will do and just when that will occur. In the meantime, I have five others around the house, so we are still safe. Chances are pretty high I will be placing an Amazon order soon.

Last evening, as I sat and re-played my day and thanked the LORD for the goodness that He poured into my life, I thanked Him for the detector chirp and the challenge. I realized that I need to learn that asking another for help is inevitable as I grow older. I also need to set down my personal pride and pick up an additional dose of humility. I must admit I smiled as I prayed and admitted out loud to the LORD, “I always knew this was an issue; I was wondering how long it would be before you shined a light on it.”

Self-reliance is over-rated. It is great when we’re alone in the kitchen at 1 a.m. But overall, needing others is part of the grand scheme of things, part of the divine design. The LORD created us in relationship for relationship. And the capstone of relationship is love that opens itself and gives itself away for the benefit of another. And that gift is given most often and most genuinely when one needs another’s help.

As we continue on our journeys, let us pick up an extra dose of humility that allows us to ask for the help we need along the way: help from our neighbors and kin and help from the LORD Almighty.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.