A stranger took a risk and helped me today.

Today as I left a store, I felt a wee bit off balance; ( the joy of maturity!) Approaching the curb, I stretched out my hand — and a younger woman – a stranger — reached out her hand to steady me. It was risk, because in these times of social distancing,  we are told to keep our hands to ourselves.

I thanked her then, and I tell you that small kindness, and the risk  she took, took root.

The rubber meets the road  at such interesting times, huh? Or, as the idiom reminds us at some point theory becomes reality.  I am glad for that kind young woman who reached out to steady me – a vivid lesson to remember, as risks of infection grow.

We’re not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. — C.S. Lewis, “Letters of C.S. Lewis”, 29 April, 1959, para. 1, pg. 285. (Christiansquoting.com)

To steady a person is a great skill, and gift . . . we can each do it in many different ways, and times throughout the day. (Not just for each other, but for our kids and grandkids!)

Literally lending a hand, like that stranger actually did for me isn’t rocket science . . . it may be a risk.  What are reasonable risks we can take at any stage? Answering this question means all the more reason to be careful consumers of social media and the news.

Prayers are a great helping hand we can extend.

Like the one my friend did for me: my friend offered a prayer, responding to the prednisone adventures that are mine: May the Lord use your medication enhanced unsettled season for His glory.

Her prayer is a pattern for prayer the unsettled times that a virus is enhancing, is it not?

May the Lord use the information overload on the COVID -19 pandemic for His glory and our good, I will add.

The world population seems to be in panic. But for Christians, it’s important to emphasize that there’s no reason to experience such anxiety. Especially when we consider that the God of the heavens and the earth is the same God who controls every microbe, atom, or molecule . . . What We Know about Coronavirus

Finally, the psalmist reminds me to calm my anxious heart:

Unless the Lord had helped me,
    I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
    but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. ~ Psalm 94:17-19

Today, a stranger took a risk and helped me . . . Again, thank you, Lord for the lesson and your help. And thank you for paint and canvases!

social distancing