Last week I had dinner with a friend whose husband recently passed away and I learned a big lesson.
My friend's husband passed away after a long illness and when I asked her about some of the lessons she learned through those tough years, she said something that will stick with me forever. She said, "When people are going through hard life circumstances, don't say 'Well if there's anything you need just let me know."
My friend said most days she couldn’t process how she was going to get through the next ten minutes, much less be able to ask others for help. I was challenged by this and wondered how I could help someone in need without being asked.
I could deliver dinner. Gas up their car. Mow their lawn. Pick up an extra gallon of milk or some pet food from the grocery store. Whatever it is, I’ll think I'll just do it and I won’t wait to be asked.
This is my challenge this year. To "Just do it....and don't wait to be asked". I am horrible in situations when I feel I should help out it some way, but I never know what to do....then I usually end up doing nothing. Even though I feel my "knower" telling me to reach out and help.
My friend Anita, who has a wonderful blog http://www.littlegreygardens.blogspot.com/ posted this today on her Facebook after a mutual friend of ours, Barb, didn't wait to be asked, and just loved on her today. Here is what she said:
Very awesome experience this afternoon... I got a text msg. from Barb, and she'd made us a huge bowl of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Croissants, and some cheese slices, and wanted to deliver them to us for dinner. The way I was feeling, we were going to having a "fend for yourself" night from various leftovers. What a blessing it was, and so delicious! And it came special delivery, along with big Hugs! Thanks so much, Barb!
It is just taking the time to do it. It is just listening to that voice inside, and acting on what it is telling you. People like to be loved on. And people love to love on other people. So why is this so hard?
I don't want it to be hard any more.
I want it to be second nature.
To reach out.
To help.
To shine a little light in the darkness of someone's day.
Because I want to............
2 comments:
I learned lessons similar to this in Tuesdays With Morrie and never forgot them. I am a behind the scene "just do it" person. Mom will sure love it when you show up and wash down the kitchen. Whew! One thing off her 2014 to do list.
Thanks for sharing this! It really resonated with me, because I've been on both sides of it. Times when I've wanted to help someone and not knowing what to do, then like today, needing help and not even knowing what to ask for. Barb definitely "blessed my socks off"! I hope to do the same for someone else sometime!
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