I have a friend (A collage roommate) whose 16 month old baby has to have some pretty major medical procedures done recently and in the near future. (I am being vague, since it is not my child) She lives about 4.5 hours away from the hospital that is working with their family. So, that means every time they have an appointment or a surgery they have to travel 4.5 hours away from home, spend the night at a relatives house and deal with this without most of their friends and family. And to make things more difficult the hospital does not allow children under the age of 5 (even siblings!) to come because of H1N1..etc... So that means their 4 year old son cannot come to visit his sister and be with his parents!
The thing is, is the hospital is only about 1/2 hour from my house...absolutely doable for me to visit and bring some food. I have been trying to keep up with the updates on her blog (I LOVE blogs), so when I read that they would be in town at the hospital for a surgery I sent her an e-mail letting her know that I would like to visit and bring some dinner, if that was OK. I thought that the surgery would not be until the next week so I have plenty of time of plan everything out. but I got an e-mail back saying that they would going to be here TOMORROW!
My mind starting coming up with excuses on why I couldn't go... "I have something planned at 8 PM ... that might be tight to bring dinner and make it." "Since children under 5 can't go, I have to find a sitter for my little king... this is too short of notice..." "I don't really feel like going today" I know...I suck!
BUT I stopped and pulled myself together and said to myself (yes I talk to myself.... I know you do too so shut-up!) "When your friend is at the hospital because their BABY is having surgery YOU JUST GO! This is not about you - it is about them! Find a way!" And I did! And I was so happy that I could be a friendly face at the hospital, bring some yummy food and ice cream for dessert (everything is better with ice cream!). It was nice to visit with my friend and see her baby was doing fine after the surgery! I know a little about hospital life, my brother had 6 major heart surgeries growing up. It was always so nice when someone would come to the hospital and visit, even just for a little while. It was SUPER great if they brought food! : ) Even this little gesture was HUGE to us as a family while my brother was recovering.
I am not writing this to toot my horn and show you what a great person I am... actually the opposite. My true nature was to stay home and make an excuse, but with the guiding of the Holy Spirit I was able to be there for a friend. I know that God was speaking to me through my excuses. I had a choice to listen or ignore it. I choose to listen! It is so easy for me to get caught up in my 'busy" life and make excuses not to do things, but sometimes you just have to drop everything and JUST GO!
I believe that if I can do it, you can too!
3 comments:
Well said!
It's always easier NOT to do than to do. Especially when there are so many things to do that are NOT optional. It does feel good to help a friend, though, and there have been times when I just knew that I HAD to go and be there...no question about it. I've never regretted being there to support a friend in need. God gives us the resources to make it happen (time, energy, and a servant's heart) when we really need it.
My church does "take it to the streets" several times a year. They set up the service projects and all you have to do is show up. It's a really easy way to help others.
Our church just did a small "Extreme makeover" for a family. We build a house for them from scratch, using church labor and church money for supplies. That was a really great experiance.
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