Sometimes, when one is rocking along in life with things seeming to be pretty well coming together, God decides to give a wake-up call. For me, that call was this week. No, it wasn’t anything tragic or disastrous. It was just a round of gastritis that put me down for a couple of days.
If you’ve ever had the “24 hour bug,”
as many call it, you know what I’m talking about. For a time you’re pretty much out of
circulation, except for trips to the bathroom.
You sleep a lot and at times wonder if you’d be better off just going
ahead and croaking right then and there.
It doesn’t last long, and recovery is usually rather quick. But during the time of disability, it’s a
whole ‘nuther thing.
As I was in both the disability and
recovery from “the bug,” I noticed some of the things that Pat did for me as I
was down. She did everything from turning
down the bed for me to replacing the toilet paper roll. She kept the house going and checked in on me
from time to time. She fixed chicken and
noodles for me when I was able to eat again, and bought some 7-up, which I like
to have on hand for times like this. In
short, I was well cared for.
I had to wonder what it would have
been like had no one been around to help with those things and the many other
things she did to keep things going. It’s
been a long time since I had been ill with no one else in the house to look
after me. Oh, I would surely have
survived with no one else there. But it
was so much better having someone who cared…someone who knew what to do…someone
who was willing, able, and ready to help in whatever way she could.
And it was even better that the
someone who was there was someone I had known for decades…someone who knew me
inside and out…someone who I truly enjoy being with in times of health as well
as times of illness. I’m truly appreciative
of this good woman who looks after me…and not only me, but many others in both
of our families as well as our church family.
Just today she’s going to Hays to pick
up grand Rachel from school. She’s doing
this to save Rachel’s mom from taking an afternoon to do that, and also to have
some Grandma/Grandkid time with her. She’s
purchased Christmas for who knows who in the family, decorated our live tree, and
always seems to quietly be able to do the right thing in varied situations. Maybe it’s the nurse in her that gives her
that ability…I don’t know.
I don’t know what your situation in
life is right now. But I do know this. People need other people. All you have to do is look around for a
minute or two and you’ll find someone…family member…friend…next door neighbor…church
member…who may well need something you have.
And I’m not talking about money.
I’m speaking of your time, your energy, your compassion, and your
love. All you may have to do is take a
few minutes and listen. Or you may need
to help out in some tangible way with some difficulty that person is
facing. You may be asked for
advice. Or you might just need to be
there, quietly, being present.
This Christmas season, open your eyes
to the possibility…no, the probability…that your services are needed by someone
within your view. Helping someone else without
expectation of something in return is one of the most gratifying things you
will ever do. And it will be a great
demonstration of the first and greatest commandment, which is actually two put
together. Love God with all your heart,
soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
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