"You can't live a perfect day
without doing something for someone
who will never be able to repay you."
~ John Wooden ~
Yesterday, I had to go to the doctor, so my children were dropped off to spend time with grandma. After my visit, I went to the thrift store and on to the grocery. I made an unusually quick trip (at least for this girl) and had no need of my grocery cart as I left the store. This was all part of the plan, I'm sure.
As the automatic doors openned to bright sunshine, I soon noticed that traffic was being held up. There was an elderly woman at the center of it all, slowly managing to push a cart up the incline which leads to the store.
Normally, I'd have my own hands full leaving the store with two children and a full cart, but today I had a few small bags, and was completely able to help.
For a split second, my instinct was, "She'll be alright." After all, as a nurse, I know that some people turn away any effort you make to help them... no matter how they need it. I quickly decided to ask if she needed help anyway... and of course, I thought of that golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
She said, "Oh, thank you! I think these young people are getting quite frustrated by my holding them up." I noticed the cane in her cart. I asked, "Would you like me to push the cart while you walk along side?" She replied, "No, I have to use this cart for balance. I never would've thought I'd have so much trouble just walking into the grocery store." As we reached the doors, she turned and said, "Thank you so much for stopping to help me," and she walked inside.
As I made my way out to the car, I couldn't help but think... I didn't help her to the door any faster by helping push her cart. I just walked next to her. Maybe that's all we need sometimes, is to go through an experience with someone by our side.
Maybe you are going through a trial right now. You don't have to go through it alone. Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and ask for help ~ in the form of prayer, or by reaching out to our friends and family, or our community ~ instead of trying to handle it all on our own. On the other side of that ~ if you know someone who has a need, why not reach out by doing something for them... helping them, even in a small way, might just be an answered prayer.
"Act as if what you do makes a difference.
It does."
~ William James ~
