Saturday, August 18, 2012

Do Unto Others...



"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 ~

32 comments:

  1. Being in the right place at the right time is such a blessing. Lovely post.♥♫

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  2. Sometimes it's the "little" things we do that have the biggest impact on someone else's life--be it for a moment, a whole day, or longer.

    Thank you for the lovely post. You have inspired me to be more mindful of ways--"big" and "little"--in which I can reach out to others.

    xoxo

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    1. I believe God nudges us in the right direction, and then it's up to us to take that final step to help one another... no matter how uncomfortable it may be in the moment, it'll end up being worth it :)

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  3. Megan, this is such a great story, thank-you for sharing! If we remember the final quote it will shape our attitude in every day!

    I'm canning pickles and just hopped on for a peek while I wait for the kettle to boil:) It's that time of year.

    Hope your summer is going well.

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    1. Thanks Janet! Yes, that final quote speaks volumes :) No canning here... never tried it, and don't know that I will, at least not until both the kids are a little older :) School starts for Olivia on Tuesday :( I have a little longer with Zachary, he has an extra week to wait, since he'll be in pre-K. Other than that, the weather is great ~ love this time of year!

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  4. Beautiful post, and so true. This is my life and I am so blessed to say that. One of the gifts God gave me is the gift of encouragement. Funny thing is, I don't get encouragement from alot of the people around me. I wish they could read your post. Most people are so out for themselves. God bless you for helping that little lady.

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    1. My husband has inspired me to be a more helpful person. He has shovelled an elderly woman's driveway and walkway (just because he was driving by and noticed she needed help), he plows neighbors' driveways with his tractor in winter, helps our elderly neighbors around their farm... and he so dislikes recognition of any kind! I hesitated to even publish my story, because I don't want to be glorified from it ~ I just want it to be used as an example of serving others :) I'm glad you found encouragement from it! Have a wonderful day Rea!!

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  5. Thank you - a lovely reminder of the important things in life. xx Michelle

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    1. You're welcome ~ you're right. We all know these things, but it's good to be reminded now and then!

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    1. Thank you, Christine! I've been thinking about you recently :) Glad to see you stopped by!

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  7. Wonderful, inspiring words with which to start my day. Thanks dear Megan.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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    1. You're welcome Teresa :) Have a wonderful day!

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  8. What a beautiful message and an experience that I know you will always remember....Thank you for sharing that special moment with us!!!!!

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    1. Thank you Penny ~ yes, I think I will always remember her :)

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  9. Jamie WilcoxAugust 19, 2012

    This is a beautiful post, Megan. The little things we can do can brighten a life. TY for sharing your thoughts.

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    1. Thank you Jamie ~ agreed! I know helping her brightened my day :)

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  10. It's amazing what a small gesture to you is, but a great big one for the one you help.

    Silverbutterfly

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  11. Wow, what a servant heart you have, and a great reminder to stop and think of, and serve others each day. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  12. Hi Megan - just came across your blog from watching a UTube tutorial and she mentioned your name. You have a lovely blog and
    it is so uplifting! I plan to bookmark it! I love your digital artwork. May I ask how you learned to make these. I have been
    trying to teach my self photoshop to make my own vintage images for my mini albums but don't seem to be getting anywhere.
    Have a great day!!!

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    1. Hello Pam ~ I actually am self-taught, and use a free program called GIMP to create my artwork. I started out by playing around with the program... no specific project in mind. As I figured out more and more, I would do an internet search looking for a tutorial on a specific technique, such as: How to create a .png image using GIMP. I'm sure you could use these ideas, only using photoshop in place of GIMP. Just have fun, and don't give up :)

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  13. What a lovely posting! And you know, you probably hit something right when you say that sometimes we just need someone to come alongside us....i takes away the feeling of being it (whatever 'it' is) all alone.

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  14. What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing! I find myself in situations often where I get the chance to either turn and walk away or listen to that still small voice inside and help out. It's amazing what a wonderful lift it gives me to brighten some one else's day. A gift from above for both of us. Bless you!

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  15. Hey, Megan,

    Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful story with us... You are pretty amazing... :-)

    Blessings,
    Tatiana.

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  16. Hi Megan, I love your blog and all the wonderful tags/papers you create and share so generously. When I was visiting Mikey's mom blog (http://ros-mikeysmom.blogspot.co.uk/) I saw her linking to your blog with the address http://lilac-n-lavender.blogspot.co.uk/ and I just wondered about the UK address. I always visit you at http://lilac-n-lavender.blogspot.com. Please check it out, it's the same blog but different address which made me wonder. Thanks again for all you do.

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  17. Thank you so much for your lovely story. It made me cry. Love your blog and thank you for all the great graphics.
    rita

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  18. Thank you Megan for sharing about your adventure in helping. It reminds me of what Jesus said, in Mat.25:40 about doing good to the least of my brethren, you have do so for me as well. Once again Megan, thank you for sharing, it was so encouraging to read. August

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  19. Megan, seu post é um exemplo do que você é, e que todos nós precisamos ser: generosos e saber olhar o outro como gostaríamos de ser olhado. Esse é meu lema de vida, fico imensamente feliz de saber que é o seu também.
    Megan, muito obrigada pelas belíssimas imagens que você generosamente disponibiliza.
    Muito, muito Obrigada. Amo seu blog.

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  20. Thusly really warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing and the reminder,

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“Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.”

~ Mother Teresa