So, the other day I was sitting waiting for my wife while she was in the grocery store. I know I should have been in there with her, but hey – someone had to watch the car. As I was waiting, I noticed an elderly woman roaming around pointing keys at all the vehicles. At first I wondered, “What is she trying to do, steal a car in broad daylight?” Then I realized, she can’t find her car. My two teenage sons were sitting in the back seat and they agreed, she can’t find it. We sat for a good five minutes sort of feeling bad for her, glad that it was not us roaming around, then it hit me – I am very slow sometimes – I should help her.
“Excuse me ma’am, have you lost your car?” I was trying to be polite and nice so I would not get beat up. I can picture hidden cameras around, and me getting num-chucked by this 75-year old woman. Sure enough, she is confused and can’t find her car. I learn real fast that her husband died a few months back, and she is not even sure what she drives. “It’s white,” she tells me, and that helps a lot, since there are few white cars in the parking lot. So I ask her for her keys and I walk around pointing her keys at all the white cars. Nothing. Not one of those white cars let out a horn blast.
I felt sick for her. Someone stole her car, and her purse was still in it. We call 911 and we wait with her to make sure she is okay.
The sad thing about this for me as I reflect, is that I actually had a debate in my head if I should help or not. Do I really want to get involved in this situation? Thankfully, I felt that nudge. You might know that nudge, the one that yells in your heart, “Are you kidding?! Get off your butt and do something!” Not sure if God actually says that, but I wonder if He felt like saying it.
What I learned from this - don’t miss those moments that maybe you know you should do something. Live each day with the heart and attitude that says, “I will be part of making this world a better place”. Live willing to sacrifice time to reach out to those around you, even if you don’t know them.
Oh, by the way, she left her car at her apartment and forgot that she walked to the grocery store, purse and wallet on the front seat. I can put my head on my pillow knowing that I was part of that moment.
For now!
Ron
Hebrews 13:16
Fabulous, potent post, Ron. Sometimes I know what keeps me awake at night - and for those things that I CAN control (like following your heart/nudges), I can clear my conscience and have this weight dealt with, resulting in one less issue to keep me awake! Our current societal attitude of independence (you take care of you and I'll take care of me) doesn't lend itself to good old-fashioned help. But it still speaks the loudest in my books.
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