Those that know me, know that I am a thinker. I contemplate the least significant dealings to serious depravities in society. And when left to myself, my mind can wander for more time than I can count. That’s why I enjoy writing. All the thoughts that bump into each other, jumbled and crossing, can come out in a coherent (hopefully) work of some sort.
Recently, my mind has drifted to the thoughts of help. You know from last week, that I had a minor surgery. I have eight stitches in my back. I have required some minor help from my family to get chores done that I would normally just knock out. It made me wonder- what if I needed more help? This thought isn’t entirely new for me. I always have some sort of injury and fear the “If I need surgery, who would …?” So why the extra thought now? I have a friend that has hit hard times throughout the last year. Car accident, health issues, Covid positive, fewer hours of work, horrifyingly bad break up which not only left it’s toll mentally, physically, and emotionally, but also took furniture needed for daily living. I like to think that I have been there for my friend. I have helped in numerous ways, that I don’t want to share, but I have helped. What if my surgery had been a bigger surgery? Would that same friend offer me the help I needed? I think the answer would be yes. If I called and said, “Could you grab my kids?” or “On your way, would you mind grabbing…?” I think if the request was made, my friend would step up. I guess I’ll find out if that ever happens. Last weekend, I received phone calls, texts, and visits to see if I was doing alright. People have asked if I need anything. People have checked my pain levels and if I’m getting enough sleep. There has been a general level of care that I am appreciative of for sure. And, honestly, I don’t need anything. I’m still mobile, just slightly limited. I’m still able, though slower or more comical. And I have family members that can, and have, stepped up to fill in. (My kids are getting really good at laundry!) The other night, I saw a Facebook post shared for a GoFundMe page. It was for a neighbor. The mother is very sweet. I’ve never spoken to the father. There’s a teenage daughter that keeps out of trouble. Then there’s a child closer to my son’s age that I don’t necessarily encourage play times with, if you catch my drift. But when I saw this post, I was worried. I’m not friends with them, exactly, but I know them. The mother is very involved in the neighborhood. She’s helped with social events. She watches people’s children. She is active in her church. She gives out of the overflow of their garden. So I was troubled to see that medical issues had caused a financial burden for the family. And thing is, I know that there are so many other of our neighbors that feel the same way. Why? Because we know that they’re a good family. We know that the mother has done so much for so many. And that’s what makes me think of the question again- If I had a medical issue that created a burden, would I receive help? I don’t believe in karma. I don’t believe that good things happen to those who do good. It isn’t a biblical principal. Jesus told us we would have trials and tribulations. That I believe. But I do have to wonder, if I have helped enough people in my life that a handful of them would step up to return the favor. I wonder if strangers would our family because I’ve done something worth-while. And then I wonder if it matters? Do I trust that God will provide, in whatever method that looks like? I think that is truly the answer to my question. It is God who provides. He might provide through friends we’ve helped along the way or strangers that hear of us. He might provide through the church members or atheists. When I help those around me, it isn’t so that one day when I’m down and out they’ll be there for me. It should always be because God is using me to bless them. During this time of year, many people become altruistic. People from all walks of life look to help the poor, the widow, and the orphan. That’s fantastic. It’s just too bad that the motivation comes from an overweight man in red, rather than the Savior of the world. May we give with open hearts. May we help those in need. May we be the hands and feet of Christ, not Santa.
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May 2023
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