The Golden Rule...

 Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

Yesterday morning, The Lord led me straight to the book of Matthew Chapter 7. I even wrote about Matthew 7:7 in yesterday's post. 

Well, after I finished typing up the early morning post, my daughter yelled from her bathroom that she did not have any hot water. 

My husband was swallowing down his cereal and hollered back that it was probably because he had taken a hot shower right before her. 

Little did he know that about 4 minutes later he would walk to the basement and find it puddled in water. Water, everywhere. 

The hot water heater exploded. 

Yay. 

Keep in mind that in the past month we have had the following occurrences...I say this through a teeth gritted sarcastic smile:

-our 16 year old daughter was in a fender bender--and it was her fault. her car is still in the shop being repaired. YAY.

-our air conditioner went out the same week as her accident. yep. same week. very thankful for a brother in law who took good care of us. YAY. 

-we hit a deer on Mother's Day night. my car is still being evaluated by our insurance agent...so no car for a long while. YAY. 

-we had a leak in our master bathroom ceiling from heavy rain. the exact same spot we had a leak a few months ago and paid a good bit of money to repair it. YAY. 

-as we were clearing the stuff from the basement I bent over to grab a box and pulled something in my back, letting out an ugly sounding yelp. it was lovely. my kids and husband laughed. very supportive family. my back still hurts. YAY. 

So, this post does have a point. I promise I am not having a pity party....well maybe a little one. 

When my husband was ankle deep in water, his cell phone rang. 

It was his friend, Steve, asking a question about something business related. 

Lem told his friend Steve about the fiasco in our basement.

Not long after, Steve was at our door to help. 

Steve stayed about 9 hours to help Lem. Yes, NINE. 

My son and I were able to escape the chaos due to errands that needed to be run. It was TAX DAY on top of everything else we had going on. YAY. 

After our errands, my son and I decided we needed a walk. ANY excuse to escape the scene at home. 

On our walk, my son said something that melted me. 

He said that Steve showing up at our door encouraged and inspired him to be more of a helper to others. 

"Mom, it's so easy to not have time and to not offer to help people because it is inconvenient. But, when you have someone offer to rush over to help, it reminds you of how good it feels to receive help from others. I want to be that kind of friend."\

I quickly nodded my head in agreement, "Yes, Joseph. I know exactly what you mean."

Just last week a sweet friend dropped off a meal for us. It was so out of the blue and unexpected. She knew we had been in the car accident the weekend before and that we were still out of sorts a bit. 

She called me on the phone and asked if I was home. I told her I was and she almost immediately showed up with dinner for 4. 

It felt like a million dollars in that moment. 

I had to get my daughter to volleyball practice and dinner had not EVEN crossed my mind. Since I am sharing a truck with my husband, I was still trying to figure out the details of getting her to practice. 

My friend was an angel to me that day. 

I did not even know I needed her....but God knew. 

When Steve called my husband yesterday morning, I don't think for a second it was a coincidence. 

I am so grateful to Steve. Because of Steve, I could go run the errands that needed to be done that day so Lem could stay back and clean up the carnage. 

Some people are natural helpers, and others of us really want to be. 

In the words of Mister Rogers...I think my first time EVER quoting him here...

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers, you will always find those who are helping."- Fred Rogers

Look for the helpers. Wise words, Mr. Rogers. 

I really want to live the Golden Rule verse out. But, it takes much intention. Much thought. More than that, it takes much time. 

The fruit is so sweet though, isn't it?

Let's be helpers this week, shall we?

Let's also thank the helpers around us. They are not looking for fanfare or praise, but let's give it to them anyway. 

getting by with a little help from our friends, 

jill

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