Take Notice
“Foot washers never allow the pace of life to distract them from the purposes of God.”
Remember my best pal Ms. Josey Wales? If not, she was my chocolate lab. She made her way into many a PrayFit devotion before she passed away last year. We were tight.
Well, the latest message "Foot Washers" at Calvary Community Church reminded me of my girl and one particular moment we shared.
Josey and I were people watchers. Sitting outside Trader Joe's one night, we were waiting for Mama to finish shopping. We eyed all sorts of people. Some of them even noticed Josey's grey beard and eye brows. We took it all in. But then we watched a sweet older couple arrive. He slowly got out of the driver's side only to reappear with a wheelchair and proceeded to help her out of the passenger side. After getting her situated in front of the store, moving slowly himself, he went back to close all the car doors and she simply sat there in the entry way, alone. Like the scene wasn't tough enough, what happened next really got me.
As if she were sitting in the middle of a busy subway station, most were completely oblivious to her as they passed by on both sides. Some rushing along their way, others had their faces in their cell phones. But who would blame them? Probably just anxious to get home to their families and begin their night. We've all been there. But then a woman with her young son walked out, and here began the lesson.
As she and her boy walked by, the mother immediately noticed the elderly woman sitting there. Letting her son push the cart, the woman would look back with nearly every step. By the time she got to the parking lot, it was just too much for her to handle and she sent her son back to check on the elderly woman. Sweet boy, too. With super thick eyeglasses, he walked up to her and after a quick, bashful glance toward his shoes the little gentleman asked, "Are you alright? I mean, um, do you need any help?" I couldn't quite hear her reply, but the little boy just nodded, smiled and ran to catch up with his mama. (Bravo, mama.)
Now, you'll forgive the long entry, but I don't know who was blessed most.
Maybe the woman in the wheelchair; someone cared to ask. Maybe it was the older husband; that little boy checking on his girl was just fine with him. Maybe it was the mom; her mother may have special needs, too. Or perhaps it was the little boy; learning to notice others as well as develop courage to reach out. I'm not sure. For all I know, it could've been the sentimental fool sitting on a bench with his dog.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Are we noticing others enough to help them? Are we so consumed with our agendas, our phones, our workouts, and our busyness that we miss opportunities to be an influence on others for the Kingdom? The gym or the studio may be the place for us to look up, see people and wash some feet.
October Nutrition: The wonderful Jennifer Fielden has out-done herself again in the iPrayFit membership; both from a fitness standpoint as well as in the kitchen. She designed an amazing 2-day meal plan for you to enjoy. You can also download all the recipe cards. Here are just a couple of examples. Enjoy! Click here to enjoy them all!
