Whatsoever You Do

Full disclosure: I have been utterly without inspiration or discipline for the last few weeks. I've been resisting the inclination to pray, reflect, write, or practice any of the other habits that keep me feeling happy and healthy.

I'm not feeling much more disciplined or inspired, but I've always believed in this advice: "Fake it till you make it." With that in mind, I'll share an amazing moment I observed today, one that was a living example of Jesus' words in Matthew:

"‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’"

Today, on my way home from picking my son up from daycare, I stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. I got on the elevator with two women—one was well-dressed and attractive, and the other wore shabby clothes and looked tired and worn down. They seemed to be a somewhat odd couple, but as I moved around the store I noticed them together in different areas of the store; they were definitely shopping together.

When I went to check out, they were on line together, and I heard the tired-looking woman thank the other. "People have done for me," the younger looking woman responded. "That's why I try to do for others when I can." I wasn't paying that much attention, so her words didn't really sink in. But when I left the store, I noticed the two women waiting to cross the street, each with groceries in hand. They were on opposite sides of the street, going in different directions.

I realized that they were strangers. It seems as if the one had seen the other, recognized a need, took her into the store, and helped her get some food.
Seeing that kind of kindness, generosity, humility, and courage in action made quite an impression. It's certainly not something you see every day; in fact, I don't think I've seen anything quite like that in my life. It was a wonderful moment that showed me that goodness like this exists, for real, even if it seems like anger and injustice are much more commonplace.

Tonight I'm hoping that being witness to this moment will remind me to be grateful for all that I have, and inspire me to taken similar action when I can, wherever I can.