We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the feelings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
Yesterday afternoon my wife and I visited our local barbeque restaurant for a late lunch. While I know it's not healthy on a regular basis, we do occasionally enjoy it as a special treat. I love it so.
The little restaurant that we frequent is on a busy North-South artery carrying many tourists to and from the beautiful resorts and beaches we have here in Florida. While I'm glad I reside in the rural north part of the state, the visitors enjoy the many special places that we are blessed to have and they play a large part in keeping our economy going even in today's hard times.
While waiting for our lunch, an older couple drove up in a large van and parked in the handicapped spot directly by the front door. I watched out the window and noticed it was taking a long time for them to come inside. Looking closely I could see that the lady was having trouble with the power wheelchair that contained her husband. Over a few moments I watched several younger people walk by them, even a deputy sheriff, with nary a glance.
Walking outside to help, I found the problem. In his hurry to get down the slight ramp from his vehicle to the concrete, he had gone off the side with one wheel and the chair was stuck in limbo. The elderly gentleman was in danger of tipping over, which would have caused him to fall out on the parking lot and probably injure himself. My wife ran out to join me as the chair with occupant was very heavy and, at 66, I'm not as strong as I was back in my Army days. We struggled for a moment and finally righted the chair so that the poor man could "drive" it down the ramp safely.
As I helped them in the door to find a table, I thought to myself how self-centered and callous we have become. It's as if we have all been so desensitized and unconcerned with the needs of others that we don't see any obligation to help others. We need to change our outlook and change it fast.
I don't tell you this seeking praise for myself. My reward was found in watching these nice visitors to my state be able to get their lunch and then get on their way safely. They were probably on their way to see children and grandchildren and they just needed a little hand of friendship. And it made my heart warm and it gave me a good feeling inside to be able to help them.
Dear Lord, Thank you for putting me in the right place to help another one of Thy children in their moment of need. Help us to always look for opportunities to help others with no strings attached, for helping others without expecting anything in return gives us the most wonderful return of all, the good feeling that comes with kindness and love.
And help us to lose the callousness and selfishness that life sometimes brings and to remember that serving others is what our Savior demands of us.
And finally, Father, care for that older disabled man and his loving wife on their travels, give them the strength to carry on and live their life to the fullest extent that they may, and help them keep Thy love in their hearts always. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen
Try to perform a little act of kindness for someone each day. It's the right thing to do and He expects it of you. Have a great day in His world.
Yesterday afternoon my wife and I visited our local barbeque restaurant for a late lunch. While I know it's not healthy on a regular basis, we do occasionally enjoy it as a special treat. I love it so.
The little restaurant that we frequent is on a busy North-South artery carrying many tourists to and from the beautiful resorts and beaches we have here in Florida. While I'm glad I reside in the rural north part of the state, the visitors enjoy the many special places that we are blessed to have and they play a large part in keeping our economy going even in today's hard times.
While waiting for our lunch, an older couple drove up in a large van and parked in the handicapped spot directly by the front door. I watched out the window and noticed it was taking a long time for them to come inside. Looking closely I could see that the lady was having trouble with the power wheelchair that contained her husband. Over a few moments I watched several younger people walk by them, even a deputy sheriff, with nary a glance.
Walking outside to help, I found the problem. In his hurry to get down the slight ramp from his vehicle to the concrete, he had gone off the side with one wheel and the chair was stuck in limbo. The elderly gentleman was in danger of tipping over, which would have caused him to fall out on the parking lot and probably injure himself. My wife ran out to join me as the chair with occupant was very heavy and, at 66, I'm not as strong as I was back in my Army days. We struggled for a moment and finally righted the chair so that the poor man could "drive" it down the ramp safely.
As I helped them in the door to find a table, I thought to myself how self-centered and callous we have become. It's as if we have all been so desensitized and unconcerned with the needs of others that we don't see any obligation to help others. We need to change our outlook and change it fast.
I don't tell you this seeking praise for myself. My reward was found in watching these nice visitors to my state be able to get their lunch and then get on their way safely. They were probably on their way to see children and grandchildren and they just needed a little hand of friendship. And it made my heart warm and it gave me a good feeling inside to be able to help them.
Dear Lord, Thank you for putting me in the right place to help another one of Thy children in their moment of need. Help us to always look for opportunities to help others with no strings attached, for helping others without expecting anything in return gives us the most wonderful return of all, the good feeling that comes with kindness and love.
And help us to lose the callousness and selfishness that life sometimes brings and to remember that serving others is what our Savior demands of us.
And finally, Father, care for that older disabled man and his loving wife on their travels, give them the strength to carry on and live their life to the fullest extent that they may, and help them keep Thy love in their hearts always. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen
Try to perform a little act of kindness for someone each day. It's the right thing to do and He expects it of you. Have a great day in His world.
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