She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I worked most of this morning at our food co-op. I was hot, tired, and grumpy. Then this frail, little, senior lady walked up and thanked me. She told me she gets her neighbor to bring her thirty miles to our temple. She likes the fact all our produce is in season and grown by local farmers. It is all organically grown.

She went on to tell me how small her food budget is. I explained all our senior programs. Because of our young people, we are able to deliver food if getting a ride is a problem. I gave her the phone number to call. We tell you what we have available and you give us a list. The young people deliver it. I invited both her and her husband to our senior dinners. She told me she wasn't a member of the temple. I explained this is just a social get together. She must have thanked me a thousand times.

We may have helped her but she helped me a great deal more.
Suddenly, I wasn't quite so tired, hot, or grumpy. I felt to blessed to be stressed. This lady put life in perspective for me. When I needed help, my family helped. I am glad I am in a position to return the favor.

To me that is what life is all about. Helping each other. I have needed help in the past and probably will in the future. Always, just as I am about to give up, my God sends me the right person. I pray I was her right person.

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

I find when I give I usually get more back than I ever expected. So glad you are being a good member of your community. We all could learn from you!

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Ditto, Paul, ditto. :thumbup:

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Bless you She Wolf. Thank you for the work you do. God is good.

BearK Loc: TN

Appreciated the sharing of your story. Thank you.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

It's amazing how a simple encounter changes perspective. I worked as a volunteer for a local food bank when I first moved here, and a single older gentleman changed my perspective, probably forever. A quiet man, just like your lady, frail, not wanting any favors, but in need, taking nothing for granted. He had owned a farm, worked hard all his life, had a heart attack, lost his farm, was one of those folks who ended up falling through the cracks, he and his wife barely getting by. I was struck by his grace, his spirit. It was humbling. I do believe God places people in your path with purpose. There are no coincidences to my way of thinking. I suspect that while you feel she blessed you (she did), she felt equally blessed by your act of kindness. Simple acts of kindness sometimes bring about miracles.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Amen. I agree. I no longer believe in coincidences either.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

I have lost count, the many times, people have been placed in my path, for one reason or another. These days, I just say a quiet, but fervent 'thank you', each time to The One who has placed someone in my path, knowing that a blessing more than likely flowed both ways from what some will say was a 'chance' encounter.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen.

bahmer

Great message and we all can learn from this, It has always been that way in my life as well.

badbobby Loc: texas

kudos to you She Wolf
you are a gracious lady :thumbup: :thumbup:

9th Marines

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

9th Marines

The following is a short cut-and-paste from the April 2010 semi-annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. Your reference to temple suggests you are Jewish. However, the following is apropo to all of God's children, regard-less of religious affiliation.

“A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

There is a profound lesson in this story. When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation.

That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples.”

Thank you for your compassionate service to the more fragile, vulnerable among us.

BearK Loc: TN

Thank you for another inspiring story. If only people could share their love and respect for others as they expect for themselves. Some day, some day, always keep hope alive.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

"You are my hands"....what a picture painted with those words. Thank you.