Source: http://www.deviantart.com/art/a-helping-hand-103120876
Remember the joy of polite civilities. Offer to help with something -- a shopping bag, a door, a dropped set of keys. The possibilities are endless...
The week before Easter, I was standing in the check-out line at a supermarket - just listening to those around me. You see, I had gone into the shop on purpose, looking to engage and maybe even help someone that day. I heard a conversation at the next checkout that went like this:
Assistant: "I'm sorry. You are 80 cents short. You don't have enough money for all these items. You are going to need to put something back."
There was a pause. The customer said, "I guess I could put back the chocolate."
Instantly that conversation had my attention - no-one should have to put back chocolate! So I reached into my purse and pulled out a dollar. Reaching across to the checkout assistant, I gave the dollar to her and said, "No one should have to give back chocolate."
The customer was so surprised and she thanked me, but all I said was, "Happy Easter!"
- Ruthmary
Lord, help me have a heart that joyfully gives and joyfully helps. I have been so fearful and so cautious that they have hindered me from helping others. Even my family and friends. I can sometimes be outright mean and unreasonable. Please help me to be gentle and to be understanding with the people around me. Sometimes I can be a hypocrite in that I always want to be understood but then I failed to understand others. Help me Oh Lord to have an understanding and giving heart. Be my strength and courage when someone needs my help and provide me strength to offer help even to those who have not directly asked for it even to those who do not know me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The week before Easter, I was standing in the check-out line at a supermarket - just listening to those around me. You see, I had gone into the shop on purpose, looking to engage and maybe even help someone that day. I heard a conversation at the next checkout that went like this:
Assistant: "I'm sorry. You are 80 cents short. You don't have enough money for all these items. You are going to need to put something back."
There was a pause. The customer said, "I guess I could put back the chocolate."
Instantly that conversation had my attention - no-one should have to put back chocolate! So I reached into my purse and pulled out a dollar. Reaching across to the checkout assistant, I gave the dollar to her and said, "No one should have to give back chocolate."
The customer was so surprised and she thanked me, but all I said was, "Happy Easter!"
- Ruthmary
Lord, help me have a heart that joyfully gives and joyfully helps. I have been so fearful and so cautious that they have hindered me from helping others. Even my family and friends. I can sometimes be outright mean and unreasonable. Please help me to be gentle and to be understanding with the people around me. Sometimes I can be a hypocrite in that I always want to be understood but then I failed to understand others. Help me Oh Lord to have an understanding and giving heart. Be my strength and courage when someone needs my help and provide me strength to offer help even to those who have not directly asked for it even to those who do not know me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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