The Least of These...

This is a post from my other blog a few months back... I think the story is worth repeating.

My dad was born in 1920. In a time when people didn’t lock their doors and it was safe to stop and help a stranger. He also was given such a good heart that he wanted to help those in need. He would always stop for the hitchhiker, help those stranded on the side of the road and pray for those he couldn’t help.

Today is a different world. It isn’t safe to stop for hitchhikers any more. I worry about the safety of myself and my family if I were to stop. Most people these days have cell phones, so is there really a need to stop and help someone who is stranded with a disabled car? Could I even help with my lack of automobile knowledge?

When I was 17, I stopped for a lady who needed work and food so she could help her kids. I was sure that I could fix the problem. I invited her over to our house for dinner. I offered to take her where ever she needed to go and to help her find a job. I had a solution for everything. But she only wanted cash, which I didn’t have.

I talked with my mom about this. Now that I am a mom, I can’t believe she didn’t freak out that I had invited a stranger over for dinner. But she taught me about charity. Saying the Lord was pleased with my efforts. She also told me that sometimes people who are asking for help don’t have as noble intentions with the money as they say they do. I was shocked. She carefully explained that it wasn’t safe for me to stop and help some of these people. I needed to follow the promptings of the spirit and be more careful.

There are many times I see people on the street corners that need help. They are homeless, hungry or in need of work. My heart aches for them but I think, “what can I do?” or “ do they really need help or are they looking for drug money?” More often than not, I drive by in my air conditioned car, thinking about them until the next stop light, heading to my comfortable home.

A few years ago, I saw something that I will never forget. I was driving past another corner on a typical Arizona day; one hundred plus degrees. On this corner was a man dressed as though he was prepared for the world’s worst blizzard. He had donned a scarf, hat, several layers of heavy clothing followed by an open coat. His bearded face was barely poking through the layers of clothing. It was obvious from the appearance of these cloths and this man that neither had been washed in some time. In fact, it took some effort to differentiate the man from the cloths, as they were both so dirty. He had sunken down, half laying, half sitting, to the cement, leaning against the stop light. He is what I imagine the Savior meant when he said “the least of these”.

Next to this poor man was another man. Maybe in his 20’s, although I didn’t see his face. His arm was around the fallen man and with his other arm he held a yellow Gatorade to the man’s mouth. I could tell by how the younger man leaned in to help, that he wasn’t worried about smell, filth or safety. He was worried about a fellow human. I felt as though I had seen the story of the Good Samaritan. I have seen the painting, one man leaning over another to help, but this was a real life version of it. I wondered how I could get to that point in my life where I do not worry about what is unpleasant for me and worry more about what my fellow man needs.

Yesterday, as we were driving, I saw yet another person in need. We didn’t have any cash with us and we stopped beyond her view. So it was easy to not help. But the look on her face haunts me. She had a sign that told her story. “mom of 3 children, need your help or prayers” How could I pass by. I tried to justify in my mind that her kids were probably with CPS and she needed money for other things. But as I pondered this a while, some scriptures came to mind.

In Mosiah chapter 4, it covers everything I need to know about these situations. Verses 16 -19, 22 & 26 say:

16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your
succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and
ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and
turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery;
therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart
unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are
just—
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great
cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth
forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same
Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment,
and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every
kind?
22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your
substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your
condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you butto
God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent
of the thing which thou hast done.
26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that
is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye
may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to
the poor,every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry,
clothingthe naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both
spirituallyand temporally, according to their wants.

So, I have concluded that the Lord wants me to learn a lesson. What can I do to help these poor people? Who am I to withhold what I have from them? Of course, I don’t think the Lord expects me to compromise the safety of my family or myself. But how difficult would it be to stock up on bus passes, Wal-mart gift cards, or even Gatorade. These are things I can do… these are things that “the least of these” need.I know that all that I have, the Lord has given me. It does not belong to me, but to Him. It is my sacred duty to share with those around me. Who am I to turn them away?

Thanks for the plug!

Erin over at If You Give a Mom a Moment is my blogging hero! Today she is my blogging Angel! :) Thanks Erin for the blurb on your site.

Go here to read her post

Someone Knew

This weeks post comes from Snorkeling Penguins on Innertubes. I am rather fond of its author! Thanks sweetie!

A few weeks ago, I did something I regreted as soon as I offered. There were
some boxes at my company's office that needed to be delivered to Phoenix, and I
offered to take them there because I was heading to a meeting in Phoenix a few
days later. When the day to deliver them came, I realized what I had volunteered
for...I was thinking of 3 or 4 lightweight boxes, and instead it was at least 10
very heavy boxes full of booklets. The place they needed to go was on the 4th
story of a building and the parking area was a long way from the entrance. Even
if I had wanted to move them, they wouldn't all fit in my car. So, I ignored it
and told myself I would do it later. A week or two passed and every day I noted
that I needed to get that done. But I have been so busy and the task frankly
felt overwhelming to work into my schedule. The pile of boxes was unsightly at
my office, and reminded me daily of the need to fulfil my obligation. But one
day, I arrived and the boxes were gone. I still don't know who moved them for
sure, and they probably don't realize what a relief that was to me, but in my
crazy life, they were the angels in my life this week.

My First "Angel" Memory

I don't know how young I was, maybe 12. Old enough to appreciate the act, young enough to warrant it.

I had gone with my mom to the health food co-op. She had also brought along one of her friends, Peggy. We rounded aisle after aisle of whole wheat this and gluten free that. Fresh produce and whole grain bread stared me in the face. And then I saw it. A bottle of sugar, I mean jam. Blackberry Jam, I believe. I wanted it. I plead with my mom. Begged her. Tried to cut a deal. But no way, no how, was she going to buy that bottle of jam. I could taste the sweetness on my tounge just thinking about it, but her determination to stay sugar free was more powerful than all my supplications.

The shopping trip ended. I eventually gave up on the jam and we went home. Peggy also came back to our house. I had gone into my room and was probably sulking when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to an angel. Peggy stood there holding the jar of jam I had so badly wanted. From that moment and forever, Peggy had my heart.

I have no idea what happened to the jam. I think I probably scarfed it down in one sitting. But I will always remember that somebody loved me that day. And, even though I can see, now that I am a mom, a myriad of problems this could have caused, I will always be grateful to this little act.

What is "Angel Friday"

Angel Friday is a way to celebrate the goodness in every person. Postings will be about about Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK), going the extra mile and angelic individuals that people observe in their everyday life. It is a way for people to share the RAOK they find other people doing. This blog is meant to highlight angels of the human variety :-)

The idea is simple.

1. Sometime, throughout the week, notice an experience you had or observed regarding someone acting as a human angel. Some one being kind.
2. Blog it on your OWN blog. You may want to avoid using peoples names to avoid possible embarrassment.
3. Visit Real Angels, Real Life. Find the last Angel Friday post for the and leave a comment telling me about your story and where to find it... I will post it here on Fridays. Or if you rather, you can email me a story directly to kathysblog(at)gmail(dot)com.

I will post as many stories as I can.

That's it. So open your eyes to the world of human angels and notice all the goodness in life!

Please keep all posts G rated and family friendly. Also, please keep your posts on topic. No politics or agendas here.

If you have any questions, email me.

I won't forget...

When we were young marrieds, in the middle of graduate school, grave-yard shifts and all the stress that comes with it, we added to the mix a paper route. You know the kind I am talking about... wake up at 3:30, fold, stack and FILL your car with fresh newspapers (a smell I won't soon forget), throw 135 newspapers, drive your clankety car back home around 6, ready to begin the rest of the day.

Tim really did the bulk of it all. I mostly "cheered" his valiant efforts while I snuggled next to our first born, then only one. But for some reason, I think Tim had gotten sick or something, this particular morning, I was folding, stacking, loading all on my own. Sort of. I had brought Spencer with me. He was still nursing at the time and cranky from not being at home during sleeping hours. I folded for a while, ignoring his protests, and finally climbed into the car to nurse him... hoping he would then sleep for the rest of the time. I was tired and frustrated. When I emerged from my car and returned to my papers, there was a girl about my age, folding my papers. She explained she knew what it was like to be in my shoes and thought she could lend a hand. As we talked, we realized that we were in the same ward when we were little, but hadn't recognized each other. Anna Marie.

Anna Marie acted the part of an angel that early morning. She didn't have to do anything. I wouldn't have thought I was jipped if no one helped me. It was my task. Still, she came forward, without being asked, and left an impression in my heart forever.

This next story is taken from a post at Real Mom, Real Life:

A few years ago, I saw something that I will never forget. I was driving past another corner on a typical Arizona day; one hundred plus degrees. On this corner was a man dressed as though he was prepared for the world’s worst blizzard. He had donned a scarf, hat, several layers of heavy clothing followed by an open coat. His bearded face was barely poking through the layers of clothing. It was obvious from the appearance of these cloths and this man that neither had been washed in some time. In fact, it took some effort to differentiate the man from the cloths, as they were both so dirty. He had sunken down, half laying, half sitting, to the cement, leaning against the stop light. He is what I imagine the Savior meant when he said “the least of these”.Next to this poor man was another man. Maybe in his 20’s, although I didn’t see his face. His arm was around the fallen man and with his other arm he held a yellow Gatorade to the man’s mouth. I could tell by how the younger man leaned in to help, that he wasn’t worried about smell, filth or safety. He was worried about a fellow human. I felt as though I had seen the story of the Good Samaritan. I have seen the painting, one man leaning over another to help, but this was a real life version of it. I wondered how I could get to that point in my life where I do not worry about what is unpleasant for me and worry more about what my fellow man needs.

I can go on and on about different people who have blessed our lives. Whether it was a dentist who felt impressed to wave the charges, a mechanic who took money from his own pocket to pay for a repair we needed, but couldn't afford or someone opening the door for me when my arms are loaded up with children, people are around us every day doing random acts of kindness. They are answering prayers, lifting the stranger, crying with a neighbor. I have been blessed in my life to experience first hand people's acts of kindness towards my family. In my heart and mind, they were acting as angels. Serving God's purpose.

Truly the Lord places angels among us. These angels are just like us. People. People who are good. Kind. People who restore confindence in mankind. What angels have you seen in action?

Angels Among Us

One of my all time favorite songs is sung by the group Alabama. Angels Among Us. I have posted their lyrics below.

How many times have we witnessed the acts of an angel? Our Father in Heaven sends angels, often in human form, to touch our lives, lift us up. I know my life has been touched by countless angels who offer their hand. Such people help me remember that God is real. This is a site to celebrate those moments when we see God's human angels in action. To celebrate the goodness of humankind and sincerity of man.

Each week, more stories will be added here, through the Angel Friday Carnival at www.realmomreallife.blogspot.com. Check back frequently for inspirational stories.

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way.
It was getting late, and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldnt see him, but he was standing there.
And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.

Chorus
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
Theres always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And aint it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

Chorus

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places.
To guide us with their mercy, in our time of need.

Chorus
To guide us with a light of love.

Snag this button for your blog

Save this image to your computer to add it to your blog. Make sure to link it to http://www.realangelsreallife.blogspot.com/

1. Right click on the image.



2. Select save. Remember the file location where you saved it.



3. To add to your blog in blogger, choose add gadget.



4. Select add picture.



5. In the box for hyperlink, add http://www.realangelsreallife.blogspot.com/



6. Click save.

That's it.

Bubbles from an Angel

Thank you D Wheeler for your post...

"Since becoming a Mom I think at least one person a day performs a RAOK for
me. For example, one time I was in Target and my son was being particularly
fussy. We were in the check out line, so, we didn't have too much longer in
the store, but it was one of those "hurry up and wait" life moments where
everything takes longer than it should. The lady behind me took out one of
those bubble blowers like they give out at weddings and started blowing
bubbles for my son. Then she gave me the bubbles to keep as something that I
could use to help entertain him in "emergencies" like this one. Something
simple, small, useful, and easily portable. It was wonderful and made my day
much easier. "

You have been awareded both the Star Contributer and Groundbreaking Contributer Blog Award! Thank you for your contribution.