Spending 2 days without power is an adventure. Spending 2 days without power in a new place is an additional adventure. But, fate smiled on her…

And she met a stranger, a young woman living in the apartment upstairs. This person, filled with compassion, allowed my daughter to sleep in her apartment. A new friendship is born because of the “kindness of a stranger.”

She actually has met many people who have been kind to her as she adjusts to a new life. Her advisor has helped put her schedule in order, the bookstore allowed her to return books she didn’t need and she has been blessed by the kindness of many strangers.

I, too, have been blessed by the kindness of strangers. I will never forget when I had a flat tire. I was on my way to take my oldest two children to school. We drove 45 minutes each way so that they could attend a Montessori school. One day, I was driving and my tire went flat. I had dropped off something at my Grandma’s house, so we were not on the interstate. I pulled into the parking lot of a shopping center.

Empower someone that you don’t know well.  Perhaps, someone in the grocery store, the library, the doctor’s office as you wait.  Talk to the person.  Encouragement and support always are valuable gifts.  Maybe you can be the memory 28 years later…

I have been thinking about this recently and wondering how my life may have impacted others. I first became aware that what we do to help another is not always remembered by us. I was in Junior High School. One of the most popular girls in the school asked if she could write in my yearbook. I thought this was unusual since we had a few classes together, but were not really friends. Still, I gave her my yearbook. I was so surprised to read a thank you note for helping her when she skinned her knee. I didn’t even remember helping her, but the memory returned upon reading her inscription.

Occasionally, the event comes into my mind when I least expect it. I wonder how I can thank others and be more grateful for the small moments of assistance he or she may give me.

My parents moved in with us a few months ago. Both were very ill. My father was worn out from taking care of my mother, who decided to give up and not take control of her health. It was very difficult as I have health issues of my own. A woman from church who knew that my parents moved in with us, said to me one day, “It is a difficult adjustment, but you will make it.” Just a few words in a very short interaction, but those words and the loving kindness with which they were given brought me hope that all will be well.

And you know… after these few months, we have adjusted. Take courage and realize that even when you aren’t aware, you are doing good for others. Empower yourself today in that knowledge and perhaps even look for a way to help someone else. Perhaps a thank you note or a phone call expressing appreciation is a good idea.

As I pulled one costume from a rack, a person came behind me, held me, and tried to squeeze my neck. As I struggled to break loose of the tight grip, I noticed that my mouth was unencumbered; I could yell for help. Several people were walking around the road, and certainly one of them could offer assistance.

I shouted, yelled, and screamed, yet my cries rang through the air with no return. As I finally found relief through waking, I pondered my dream. I was disturbed that I felt threatened, but I was more unnerved by the fact that, after hollering my heart out for help, no one came to assist me in my struggles.

So, what in the heck could this have to do with empowerment? Well, I think many people find themselves in the world screaming for help, for peace, for understanding. They are struggling with issues maybe even they cannot identify. Are we going to walk idly by, ignoring their cries, or are we going to look up from the details of our own lives long enough to notice and even to help? Truly, helping others is empowering. Sometimes we just need to wake up; at least, I do. How about you?

The many acts of love and service surrounding me really hit home last week when I took three of my little ones to the store to pick up a few items.  We found a cart that would hold two children, as the store I went to only houses one cart that would carry three children.  I figured it was being used, so we continued on as I pushed two and carried one child on my hip to the front of the store.  As I headed down the first aisle, a young mother offered me her cart–the one that held three children.  “Would you like me to switch carts with you?”

I refused, not wanting to inconvenience her.  Her cart had several items already settled inside, and I did not want to disturb her shopping.  Yet, she insisted, and I finally agreed.  She joyfully placed her child and items in my cart as I strapped my three in the cart that would hold them.  I had been soooo tired that day, and she was an angel to me.  I really appreciated that she would help me–someone she didn’t know.  I almost wanted to cry; her consideration meant so much to me.  I want to be like her.

Sometimes I feel so caught up in my own issues that I feel numb or unaware of those around me.  I am working to switch from feelings of self-centeredness to supporting those around me.  Seeing others around me reach out to me, and feeling what it feels to be loved by others, reminds me and encourages me to reach out, as well.  I want others to feel like I felt when a young lady offered her cart to me. 

I marvel at the lessons God has given to us during these difficult times. I think of them as gifts of love. I am amazed at the many miracles He has created to share His love with us.

One of the great gifts of love he gives is friendship. In the last two weeks, I found that friendship and love can remain with us without frequent contact and I am awed by the amount of love that I can feel. I felt the strength of sustaining prayers. I felt the concern of others. I was literally enveloped in the arms of love.

I wish, sometimes, that life was not so hard. But how else can we learn the lessons so that we can grow to be more like God? I am grateful for the strength of my children and my husband through our experiences in the past year. How marvelous and great are the many bounteous blessings of our God in our lives.

I want to share one experience of the many great gifts given to our family. Last Thursday afternoon, after an especially long and trying day, my friend and I were going to visit someone who is sick. She was unable to see us and so my friend said that we could go for a ride. We did.

We decided to go shopping because she needed a new wallet. We went only in two stores. The second store, she found the wallet she wanted and I decided to buy one for me. My friend decided to give the wallet to me as a gift. I hesitated, but decided to be a gracious recipient.

I put the wallet in my bag and carried it around for a few days. Tuesday, I had a doctor’s appointment and I placed the check to pay the doctor in the new wallet. When I pulled it out to pay the doctor, I felt a sense of newness. I needed to have things that were new. I needed to get rid of the things that reminded me of my old life and start fresh. I hadn’t realized that such a small thing, a wallet, would help me move forward. It did. And each time I see it or touch it, I think of my dear sweet friend, who has been my strength over many years. Thank you, DeAnne. Thank you for understanding and loving me.

There are so many people who remain nameless right now, but someday, we will feel free to share their names and their gifts to us during our trials. I thank you too.

How can you show your love to a friend today?

It is the little things in life that help us along our way. I have read the blogs about empowering us to become better people, mothers, nurturers, sisters, etc. and thought I have little to nothing to contribute and have been putting off blogging as requested by the ladies who initiated this site. Then I stopped at a fast food restaurant on a busy day from running errands, feeling a bit frazzled. As I got my meal and sat down I saw a woman come in who looked more frazzled than I did. As she got her meal and looked for a seat our eyes met and I smiled at her. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and sat a couple of tables from me, but facing me. We both ate in a silent companionship, strangers yet somehow acquaintances. As I finished my meal and prepared to go my way, she hesitantly spoke, very softly like she was afraid someone might hear her. She thanked me for smiling at her. She told me she had had a very trying morning and my smile brought her reassurance and comfort. It was a little thing and I don’t know who this sister of ours was, but it made me feel good to hear I had helped bring her comfort in a trying time. I left the restaurant with a lighter step and a smile in my heart. So sisters, smile as you go about your day, you never know who may be watching and needing that smile.

Thanks Mary Lynn for helping to create this venue. It was inspired.

Steph

Yesterday was a particularly hard day for me.  Yet, I was surrounded by my friends, my family and people who care about me.  Even those who were far away were praying for us.  I felt the strength that comes from prayers others offered in my behalf.  The day was hard, but the support of my friends made it possible for me to have the strength and the courage I needed.  I will be forever grateful to those beautiful people in my life.

Best of all, friends become a part of our family.  Some, like sisters, are kin by blood and also by friendship. We love them and want to share in their lives too. How blessed we are to have wonderful friends. My mom always told me to be careful who I chose to be my friends. I am glad I followed her counsel. I have the best friends in the world!

How can you share your love with a friend today?

I have been thinking a lot about what I would say today. The words which come into my mind are “thank you.” I cannot think of anything more profound or important to say than “thank you.”
My heart is full to overflowing with gratitude for the love, comfort and help we have been given recently.

As we have gone through this experience, I have been awed and amazed at how many friends we have; amazed at how we can be connected with people from far away, not having kept in daily contact, but still have the same love and attachment that we felt years ago. We are family. We are one, big, gigantic family. We are the family of God.

I hope I remember always that we are brothers and sisters. I actually don’t think I ever forgot it; I just didn’t always pay enough attention to the connection which occurs at each of our births. But now, my eyes are wide open, and I am fully awake. So, I won’t write a long blog. After a while, you will understand our experience because I believe we have to share our experiences with each other so that others can benefit from our mistakes and benefit from the growth we experience as a result of learning from those mistakes.

I also want to express my gratitude for a loving Father in Heaven who takes good care of us. Without Him in my life, I don’t know how I would be able to look forward and keep moving in that direction.

Our family has been strengthened. We have reopened doors wide to reconnect with the people we love. Thank you to each of our family members and friends who have supported and sustained us. You have empowered us to continue and to fight, even when we were too tired to go on. Your encouragement and your love nourish us daily. Thank you.

How can we help to sustain and support you?

Just a few days ago, I attended my regular Sunday church meetings.  Following a class I taught, a friend of mine came up to discuss her week.  Because I was thinking of catching our children before they ran rampant through the hallway, I was not really tuned in to what she was saying to me.  I was about halfway there with her, and halfway in my mind wondering about my own work.  When I saw her again later, I apologized for not listening to her.  I told her that I felt distracted, and that I felt badly for not showing her the compassion I ought to during her expression of emotion and thoughts.  I did not help to carry her burden as she did mine.  I felt like less of a friend.

Thankfully, I was able to talk to her during the coming week after someone had spoken ill of her.  She was distressed and tearful, and I stopped what I was doing to listen.  I hope I was able to speak words of love and comfort to her as she did for me only days prior.  How grateful I am for another chance to help her.  I will try to work on my listening skills and be more aware and in tune with the needs of those around me.    How about you?

I loved it so much, though, that I had it quoted on our wedding invitation. I think that it is hard to define and express the love we feel when others help us or help our family members.

This week, our dear Andre, helped to lay pergo flooring at my daughter’s home. This has been a great blessing to her.  The words “thank you” seem not to be enough to express the feelings in my heart. Our daughter has waited for awhile to have the new floor put into her house. I can’t wait to see the finished project!

Love is something so divine
Description would make it but less.
‘Tis what I feel, but can’t define.
‘Tis what I know, but can’t express.

Love is the most wonderful feeling in the world. How can we share it with someone we love today?