While shopping at Sam’s Club, I was deciding on which container of laundry detergent I wanted to purchase. One container looked damaged and so I was looking for another that looked ok. In the meantime, an older gentleman that looked fragile offered to help and assist me in lifting the detergent out of the box and place it in my shopping cart.
I am sure to him it appeared as if I were struggling to lift the detergent out of the box when at the time I was only checking them out and not ready to decide on one yet. Nonetheless, he helped me by pulling out one of the detergents (it happened to be the one I questioned; figures, right) from a box and attempted to put it in my very packed shopping cart. I expressed my gratitude for his help. Although he appeared physically feeble, he had strength. He walked away with a smile on his face and I was happy I accepted his assistance.
He was with his wife whom seem pleased as well. He was able to help and the service that he had rendered to me, I could see brought him joy. Although I was capable and had the strength to lift it out myself, in no way did I want to take that experience and opportunity away from him. He, too, was capable and able, although his frame looked weak and fragile. We have strength within ourselves that maybe others do not see because our strength is quiet and unnoticed. As we extend ourselves outward and share our strength, it can and will bless the lives of others.
My life was touched by this older gentleman, his strength and the service he provided me. Have you been thrown off at times when others have offered their assistance, but it didn’t seem like they had the strength or capacity to assist you? Have you been taken back when the appearance of one thing was quite the opposite and contrary to what you thought? Do you allow others to help you when their help seems questionable?
Life can surprise us sometimes and I am grateful for those opportunities to see things in a different light than what I initially considered to be the case, especially when the outcome is greater and better than I could have imagined. At the time the gentleman helped me, I was preoccupied with a phone call and was a bit tangled up with earbuds in my ear and my phone in the shopping cart and trying to stretch and get to the detergent without ripping out the cord was tricky. I also had a slightly sore shoulder so even though I could have done it on my own, his help did come in handy and I was appreciative. And, in addition, for those who are OCD like me, the detergent container had a small indentation, but no leaking. I did good to overcome my tendency to replace it and did not go back to trade it out, but kept it and purchased it. Yay for me. That is huge!
tendermercym♥ments~jld
I have a friend that shared with me very directly an observation she had of one of my weaknesses to which I responded, “Thank you! That is so true. I need to work on that.” Knowing it is something that I desire to improve upon, hearing another individual and friend speak to it struck me in a way I hadn’t before realized. It was a realization that the weakness she pointed out, is known not only by me, but evident to others as well.