Lately, like so many of you, I have been going through some stuff.  Last Thursday morning, I could not wait to meet my friend for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. You see, she is going through some of the same stuff, and I knew we would vent, maybe cry a little, encourage each other and laugh a little bit too. No one understands like someone who understands. I am so thankful for my friend. I told her she is good medicine and so much better than any therapist, because she understands. I left the restaurant feeling better. I think she did too.

Before I left, I sat in my car for a few minutes catching up on messages, and I was vaguely aware of someone getting into the passenger side of the van beside me. After a little while, I realized that it was taking them a long time, and I looked over to discover an elderly gentlemen struggling to get his wife into the van. Despite his best efforts, she was slowly slipping through his arms to the ground. I jumped out of the car, and tried to help. I put my arms under her legs and tried to help lift her, but we were unable to get her onto her feet or into the van. She was just too weak. I helped him prop her on the side of the running board and floor by her seat, and told him I had to get help. I ran across the parking lot and approached a couple heading into Cracker Barrel.

The man helped us and after a few minutes, after we let her rest on the ground, we were able to get her into the van. Her husband told me she had had a stoke recently and just tired out so easily. She was shaking, crying and weak. I asked him if I could crawl into the car with her, and talk to her. I hugged her. I told her everything was okay. I prayed with her, and for this sweet couple. I held her hand. Soon she calmed down. Her husband seemed to calm too, and he thanked me.

When I got home, I took my sweet little dog out for a walk. Toby came to live with us in October. We found him in our fenced in yard with our big lab dogs one Wednesday night when we got home from church. For weeks we searched for his owner, checked with our neighbors, had him checked for a microchip, checked for postings at our neighborhood convenience stores, and posted info on facebook all to no avail. We never realized we wanted an inside dog but we soon fell in love with him, and when no one claimed him, he became part of our family. It was as if God dropped him from Heaven right into our lives at a time when we really needed the sweet unconditional love of this little dog. We always wondered where in the world he came from. We could tell he was loved.  Last Thursday morning, the mystery was solved.

After our walk that morning, I had taken Toby back inside the house, and realized that I had left my drink in the car. As I walked across the yard to my car to get it, a lady drove up. She asked if I had a Yorkie. I reluctantly told her, “yes.” She said, “He is my dog.” My heart sank.

She asked to see him. I invited her in, and after her joyful reunion with Toby, she opened up and told me that she had been staying with her dad who lived near me last Fall, when the dog got loose from her. She was devastated, and told me she cried every night for a long while. After searching for him, however, she finally gave up. Her health was not good, and she told me that she could not take care of Toby any more.

She told me that Toby had belonged to her granddaughter, and her son and his wife had split up and the former daughter in law gave him to her because she could not house train him. She had raised him for the last 7 years. Three years ago, her husband had died. She told me that Toby really struggled with his death. She loved Toby so much that she said she could not put him through more as her prognosis without a transplant was not good. We hugged. We cried together. She thanked me for taking such good care of Toby. I thanked her for the love and care she had given him, and I promised to always take good care of him. I tried to encourage her with the hope of Jesus Christ. Just give them Jesus. He works for everything.  I invited her back to see Toby in the future, and told her I would be praying for her.  Please pray with me for this sweet lady as she waits for a heart transplant.

Last Thursday morning, I woke up looking for encouragement. God showed me, once again, that it is not all about me. He is always working a plan, working all things to the good of those who love Him. I was encouraged  that day that He chose to use me to help someone else. When we look around, there are always people worse off. I am glad that I did not miss those divine appointments that day. The best way to feel better sometimes is to do something for someone else.

Rick Warren said, “Instead of grieving missed opportunities, be intentional about looking away from yourself and to the needs of others, where you’ll find happiness in serving God through serving others.” There is a happiness that cannot be explained that comes when God loves other people through us. His love bathes us as it seeps out to others. We cannot help but to be affected.

If we could only follow the example of Jesus. When He was on the cross, we were on His mind. Break our hearts for what breaks yours, Lord.

Lord, help me to live from day to day in such a self-forgetful way that even when I kneel to pray my prayer shall be for … others.

Help me in all the work I do to ever be sincere and true and know that all I’d do for you must needs be done for … others.

Let “self” be crucified and slain and buried deep and all in vain may efforts be to rise again unless to live for … others.

And when my work on earth is done and my new work in heaven’s begun may I forget the crown I’ve won while thinking still of … others.

Others, Lord, yes, others let this my motto be, Help me to live for others that I may live like Thee. Amen   —Unknown

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy. Psalm 126:6

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:9-16

When going through a hard time, has God given you opportunities to show compassion for someone else, someone who is struggling even more? Is there someone around you today that is hurting that you can help? Maybe you could call them or go visit them. The blessing will be all yours, and it will make your own burdens lighter. Please share your thoughts, comments and experiences.

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May God bless you always and lead you to comfort others as He has comforted you.