Thursday, June 7, 2012

Do For Others

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior:
Ask yourself what you want people to do for you;
then grab the initiative and do it for them!"

How often we've read these words.

Heard them.

Maybe even memorized them.

But do we follow them? 

Last Friday we spent the day with my husband's brother, recently moved to a nursing facility due to dementia and impaired mobility.  Jim no longer can feed himself, maybe small bites with his fingers, but using utensils has becoming difficult.

Friday was his birthday, and as we sat in the cafe that is a part of his facility, two stunning young women entered.  They were coming to wish Jim a happy birthday and bring a card.  We had just begun eating our lunch.

Attribution
Each of them pulled up a chair, one on each side of Jim, and without a thought began helping him eat.  These young women had worked with Jim in a community organization where he had been there supervisor.  Suddenly, Jim has changed, but their eyes overlooked those changes. 

Their young and beautifully manicured hands extended, cutting his food and then feeding him, lifting a cup to his lips, wiping food from his chin or shirt.  They didn't bat an eyelash at what they were doing.

Tears burned my eyes as I realized how present God was with us.  Suddenly, the sadness of my brother-in-law's condition was changed to grace at the hands of others.

An image has been burned into my memory of these extraordinary moments I witnessed.  I will never forget their kindness and compassion.

I only hope to be as willing to reach out my hands as they were. 

What about you?



Linking up with Jennifer today at:
 









And visiting Joan at Grace Cafe
 

  

7 comments:

  1. Thank you Sherrey for your insight into grace in action.

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  2. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. That is the picture of God's love shown through His creation...so beautiful.

    Blessings,
    <><

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    1. So glad you enjoyed this post! Thanks for your comments.

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  3. Wow! What an incredible blessing! To you, to your brother in law and to those young women! And now, to us.

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    1. Hi, Jess -- so glad you stopped in. Thanks for your gracious comments.

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  4. Beauty and grace here -- not only in what you say, but in the way you've shared it. You're a gift, Sherrey.

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