The ending of a year causes me to do quite a bit of reflecting. This year is no different but for some reason I've had a particular incident that keeps coming to my mind, so I thought I'd tell you all about it.
Right after we moved to Texas, while we were still living with my in-laws, I made a trip to Chick-fil-A with the kids. At the time Caden was 3 and Brynna was still an infant. I thought this was a great idea....take the kids out of my in-laws house for a bit and give Caden a chance to play. Boy was I wrong. The entire trip was a disaster!
Caden was happy for all of two minutes and was very upset about the door to the play place being closed. He stomped around demanding that I stand in the doorway. Uh...no! Brynna was content in her carrier for the time being but, as mommies of newborns know, that never lasts long. I was perpetually 30 minutes from a feeding!
So, when the time came to leave, Caden's tantrum came in full force. Stomping, crying, throwing himself on the floor. Yep, it all happened. And here I am, trying to figure out how to get my out-of-control toddler to the car while carrying his baby sister in a heavy, awkward carrier with the oversized diaper bag attached.
It was a conundrum and I was in a pre-panic. Not only do I loath public displays like this, I was tired and stressed from the roller coaster life had been. Not to mention I felt lonely and isolated away from all my friends and a husband who worked 45 minutes away (without rush-hour traffic).
So, as I was in the middle of attempt #2 to get Caden off the floor, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder and a sweet voice saying, "Let me help."
I looked up to see a complete stranger. She was mom who was eating with some friends as their kids played nearby.
I reluctantly told her that I had it, which of course was painfully obvious I did not.
She insisted.
So, I let her help. She picked up the carrier and baby B inside as I wrestled my extremely strong three year old. And as we walked the short distance to my car, she simply said, "We've all been there."
Those were some of the most encouraging words I have ever heard. They spoke life into my tired soul and made me feel a little bit more connected to the world around me. She was not judgmental or arrogant. She did not criticize my parenting or the situation. She saw that I needed help and simply offered it.
She placed Brynna in the car as I continued to struggle with Caden. I thanked her, forgetting to even ask her name. She walked away and as I climbed into the drivers seat, a wave of emotion hit me. I cried the whole way back to our temporary home, overwhelmed by the kindness of a stranger.
This wonderful women saw my need, stepped into my situation, an offered a solution.
Sound familiar?
She was Jesus to me that day! She did for me physically and emotionally what Jesus ultimately did for me spiritually....saw my need, stepped into my situation, and offered the most gracious and overwhelmingly loving solution.
I will not forget this woman's kindness. She probably didn't think much of it but it meant so much to me. So, I challenge you to do the same. Look for ways to meet needs, step into situations, and offer loving solutions to even the smallest of problems. You never know what it will mean to the other person.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)