As many of you know, I'm in a wheelchair. When CL and I go grocery shopping, CL pushes the cart and I follow along side using my feet to pedal in my wheelchair. All-in-all, it works out pretty good. The hard part is when we're done checking out and heading to the car. Our local Wal-Mart has a sloping parking lot and it's too steep for me to handle on my own. CL usually does a great job hanging on to my wheelchair with one hand and pulling the grocery cart with the other hand.
Another act of Good Samaritan-izm happened, at a Sunday meeting, several weeks ago. During this meeting the Lord taught me a great lesson. It was Stake Conference, (a local Church meeting made up of 8 Wards - Congregations.) The meeting was 2 hours long. Across the aisle was a father and his young daughter. Throughout the meeting I could see the father diligently trying to keep his toddler quietly entertained. She looked about 2 years old. As the meeting progressed, the little girl got bored and started throwing a tantrum, not just a little one, but, a BIG one. I was so glad when the father finally took her out. I said to myself, "Now I can concentrate on what the speaker was saying," (which, by the way was about being more Christ-like). Ummmmmm, do ya get the feeling I was missing something...
Well, after a while the father came back with his still reluctant daughter. She was quieter, but I could tell she was on the verge of another tantrum. I quietly shook my head to myself and passed judgement....if I was her mother, I'd get her under control...
All of the sudden, a young girl about 10 years old came from behind, handed the toddler a sheet of stickers and a blank piece of paper. The toddler grew silent and the father gave a very grateful smile. My lesson was learned.
Have you had any similar experiences? I'd enjoy hearing from you!
Side note: Please vote for my family photo by clicking HERE. Thank you very, very much!(You can vote once a day if you'd like. Ends Oct 22!)
Good Samaritan Image
Blessings to your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteLovely post - and you're absolutely right of course. Love and compassion should rule the day, not being judgmental. Very well done!
ReplyDeleteI've totally been humbled like this over and over and over again. I'm always happy I notice (that I'm being humbled), at least it means I'm paying attention. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
I am always so shocked these days when I see a random act of kindness and I wish I wouldn't use the word shocked. WHY do I not do more? I needed to read this post Becky. I swear you wrote it for me!
ReplyDeleteI seem to get these lessons from my son all the time. I am learning to be more patient, more forgiving, more sympathetic, and more in the moment. And when I forget, my son reminds me. Out of the mouths of babes... :)
ReplyDeleteI love to see kindness shared between "strangers" because it's truly the work of the Lord.
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths (or, hands) of babes!!! How precious this young girl was to the frazzled Daddy!!! So glad there are people who show you and your hubby kindness at Wally World....if I were there and saw you, I would, too!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI bet I have been in that situation a few time at least. Some times my reaction is to judge too quickly. I have worked on this recently when I realised I was thinking that about my own grandchildren. I would think if that were my child... Well, then it registered today is so differnt then when we were raising our children. I think they get bored faster. My 2 1/2 year old grandson can turn on the computer get to his preschool site and play learning games all on his own. He also watches educational videos on long car trips so sitting and being quiet is hard for him.
ReplyDeleteI have my friends ask how they can help my sister out since her baby has special needs. I think that's great! Usually I just tell them that offering food is helpful.
ReplyDeleteLast week I was really frustrated. I have to say, I don't know how to discipline while being in a car. It's hard for me. My four year old was a grump (unusually so). He cried the whole way home because I gave him a cereal bar with the wrapper off. He wanted to take the wrapper off. He cried and cried. We got home. I sent him directly to the timeout chair, had a small talk with him afterwards and told him that he was to go to bed directly after dinner and why. He did all the above without a fuss. Then he was great the next day.
My oldest keeps singing the song Tomorrow. The younger one fussed a different day about not getting a dessert; my oldest looked his brother directly in the eyes and said, "Isaak there's always tomorrow. Then there's the tomorrow after that." I learned learned a little bit from my oldest to that day. http://theapels.blogspot.com/2012/10/theres-always-tomorrow.html
I love saying thank you to anyone that hold the door open for me. Likewise, I like saying "You're welcome" after someone says thank you because I held the door open for them. And if they don't say anything, I just like opening the door for them. Strangers can sometimes touch the heart.
ReplyDeleteLove it when a stranger offers to help!
ReplyDeleteI was just driving through the Dunkin' Donuts for coffee, and I got to the window to pay, and the woman working said, the woman in front of me paid for my coffee. She said it was a "pay it forward" thing that is very popular at their restaurant. My gut reaction was embarrassment actually. I thought, do I look like I need someone to buy me coffee? I'm not so good at being on the receiving end. I'd rather be the Samaritan, but I understand that it was done more for the giver than the receiver in this case. I'd really prefer to just buy my own, and find someone else who really needs something.
ReplyDeleteThat's the sweetest stories I've heard. Sometimes it's not easy to see people actually help other people. But there are those rare cases. If I was there, I would help you all the time :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I think I'm going to put some stickers and a blank sheet of paper in my purse.
ReplyDeleteI am also going to get some sticker and paper for my Grandson. Some days..... that boy goes wild. Thanks for the idea!
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