May 23, 2022
“The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts him. I was helped, my heart rejoiced, and I thank him with my song.” ~ Psalm 28:7 CEB
I was surprised by offers of help on Saturday, not once, not twice, but three times. And whenever things come in three, I take it as a sign to pay attention. The first occurrence was mid-morning. I was edging the lawn, and a neighbor from around the corner pulled his van into the driveway and asked if my dog might have gotten out. His wife had noticed a dog that looked like Kiko trotting up the street without me. She was worried that I might have injured myself, and perhaps had sent Kiko to get help, Lassie-style. So, he’d gotten into his car and drove all around the neighborhood looking for me and Kiko. I’d seen Kiko no more than three minutes earlier when I went indoors to get a drink and assured him that Kiko was indeed in the house. I was surprised by help, even though I didn’t need it. I was touched that although we are only “smile and wave and say hi while walking in the neighborhood” neighbors, they took the time and effort to help. I thanked him profusely for thinking about us.
Later in the afternoon I went to Lowes to pick up a few things, including 4 bags of topsoil to fill some holes in the backyard. I managed to get one of the bags into the cart and realized that lifting more of them would not be a good thing. I asked the young woman at check out if she could find someone to help me get three more bags. She immediately said, “I’ll help you,” and proceeded to put three more bags in my cart. After I’d paid the bill she surprised me again, “Just leave your cart right there by the entrance. Pull your car to the curb. I’ll be watching for you and come out to put them in your car.”
I moved my car, the clerk was busy, so I decided I could roll the top bag into the back of me car. I did so and was getting ready to do the same with the next bag. I heard a woman’s voice ask, “Do you need help?” She had left her car running and hopped out just to help me. She was a tall, strong looking woman, about ten years my junior. I was glad to accept her offer. Together, we easily managed the other three bags.
I drove from there to Walmart to pick up a few more things, thinking about how amazing, caring, loving, and generous people are. I felt pure and surprising joy and thought, “This is the best day ever.” I’d been blessed by God with offers of help extended to me. Perhaps my sisters in heaven were pulling some strings to take care of me on week after Carol’s celebration of life.
I’d finished shopping, and had just put the cart back when a woman in the parking lot called out to me, “Can you open my car door for me?” She had a large and heavy looking cake box in her arms, her car keys dangling from a finger. I jumped at the chance to help her and when she thanked me, I told her I’d been on the receiving end three times and felt grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward.
I was helped! My heart rejoiced. Thanks be to God. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 