Just When I Needed it Most

I was feeling stressed. As usual, I was behind schedule, and, also as usual, I had more things to do than time to do them. I pulled up to a red light next to a car with one of those clear decals that many people have with the names of their colleges. This one read "Your College Sucks"! I chuckled.

Not a mile down the road, I had to stop for another red light. On the corner was a young lady with a sign advertising pizzas for $5 each. Though it is rather common to see people holding these advertising signs, my attention was drawn to two young girls on either side of the lady. They were dressed up as pizza slices, and dancing in circles with big smiles on their faces! I laughed!

I realized that I need only look around me to find things worth looking at!

Another day I was dealing with a bout of self-pity. I kept telling myself that no one appreciates me or my time. After all, I was on an errand to fill a needed supply because someone used the reserve without letting me know, and I normally filled that supply through mail order. As I turned a corner, I noticed in my peripheral vision a young lady comforting a baby. When I looked, I also saw another young lady struggling to jack up a car to fix a flat. It looked like an accident in waiting.

I circled around, pulled into the lot, and asked if I could change the tire for them. They gratefully accepted, and, in about five minutes, the job was complete. As I was putting the flat tire into the trunk, one told me she really appreciated the help, adding "people like you make the world a better place."

I realized how therapeutic it is to do what I can to make a bad situation for someone else better by helping!

I was feeling angry another time. I had just left a business meeting to discuss a problem with no resolution. I had to stop for gas. While I was filling my tank, a lady with an amputated leg was struggling to maintain her balance while trying to get the hose into her tank. I called to her that I would help. She looked relieved as she put the hose back, and balanced on her crutch waiting for me.

While I pumped gas for her, she told me that she lost her leg a year before in an accident with a drunken driver. Earlier in the week, the doctors had to amputate a bit more of her leg, which required her to get a new prosthesis that was not completed yet. With her prosthesis, pumping her own gas was manageable. I put the hose away, and put the cap back on her car. She said, "God Bless you!"

I realized God always has, and always when I need it most!

Learn more about this author, Tom Koecke.
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