Before I begin sharing this week’s story, allow me to explain that in order to tell you this story, I may come off looking like some kind of Super-Christian, or Mini-Hero. Not true. I don’t have blazing red initials on my chest and I don’t change clothes in a phone booth. (g) I’m just a very ordinary man who’s trying to learn more about walking with the Lord on a daily basis in the most practical ways.

I’ve seen that phrase on bumper stickers and tee shirts. I understood what it meant. Last Monday, I had a chance to understand a little more, especially about the “random” part.

I came out of my doctor’s building after a semi-annual checkup. I was loading Sparky (my electric chair) into the back of Tonka 02 (my miracle Toyota truck). An elderly lady approached me. I believe she’d just come out of the same building. One of the things that stood out about her appearance was the pair of large, dark plastic glasses on her face. I’d seen them before on people who’d had some kind of eye surgery or treatment.

She rather timidly approached me and asked directions to South Gate Mall. I explained that it was about two blocks south of where we stood. She thanked me and said that she was about to walk north before she asked me for directions. I told her that she’d have to walk all the way through the U.S., Canada, over the pole, down the other side and then up through South America before she’d reach South Gate Mall if she went north! She grinned and we became new friends. I offered to take her to the Mall and, amazingly, she took me up on my invitation. I gently helped her climb into my truck.

Now, if my Mom were to get into a large truck with a big ‘ol ugly guy like me, I’d have to take a wet noodle and whup on her. Of course, my Mom WOULD get into my truck with me, but, see, she’s my Mom and knows me…..oh, well, you get my point! (g)

As we started to drive to the Mall, I asked her to which store I could take her. She then stated that she didn’t need to shop, but needed to get to the bus stop. She then explained that the day before, her opthamologist had taken away her driver’s license. She would never be allowed to drive again. Her husband had fallen in the shower and would never drive again, either. What a sad day for her! Her sixty some years of driving and all the independence that brought her had come to an end!

I thought of her vulnerability. As we neared the Mall, I asked her if she would allow me to just take her on home. She seemed very relieved. She told me about the pain of needing to sell both their cars. Hers is a classic. A 1964 T-Bird with very low mileage. It has custom, hand rolled and tucked black eather seats.

As we drove down one of our main arteries, she said something a little strange. She asked me if I was one of those Christians! She said that in her experience, the only people who did these kinds of things were Christians. If true, what a pity! I explained to her that yes, I was a Christian, but I believed that lots of folks do “random acts of kindness”.

When I dropped her off in front of her place, I gave her a CD of “Grandma’s Songs” and a cassette of my wife’s album, “My Shepherd Knows”. I pointed out that my name and phone number were inside the albums. She knows that if she runs into a big need, she can call me. It didn’t seem the appropriate time to say or do more than I did. My phone hasn’t rung, but perhaps it will. In any event, please join me praying for this elderly couple with no children or family on whom they can lean. I know someone on Whom they can lean, don’t you?

How often could we perform “random acts of kindness”? I can’t answer that for you. I do know that I’m learning more about hearing that “little voice” of the Lord inside me. It takes time to reach out and help people in need. When we’re in such an all-fired hurry to get to the next appointment, it’s easy to miss opportunities to help folks. Not only does it take time to be holy, but it takes time to extend ourselves to others!

As I was putting my thoughts down, a very good friend sent me the words to a song I’ve never heard sung before. I’m not familiar with the singer. However, the words really grabbed me in connection with my thoughts in this piece.

Please help me out once again and let me know about your experiences, your learning curve. Feed back to me. I always answer my E-mail. I’ve picked up so many neat friends through writing this column for the past couple of years. Maybe you’ll be one of them! (g)

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NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE…
Sung by Michael Crawford

Somebody’s down to their last dime, somebody’s running out of time,
Not too far from here. 
Somebody’s got nowhere else to go, somebody needs a little hope, 
Not too far from here. 
And I may not know their name, But I’m praying just the same, 
That you’ll use me, Lord, to wipe away the tears, 
Cause somebody’s crying, 
Not too far from here. 
Somebody’s troubled and confused, somebody’s got nothing left to lose 
Not too far from here. 
Somebody’s forgotten how to trust, and somebody’s dying for love, 
Not too far from here.
It may be a stranger’s face, but I’m praying for Your grace 
To move in me and take away the fear 
‘Cause somebody’s hurting, 
Not too far from here. 

Help me Lord, not to turn away from pain, 
Help me not to rest while those around me weep. 
Give me Your strength and compassion 
When somebody finds the road of life too steep. 
Somebody’s troubled and confused, somebody’s got nothing left to lose, 
Not too far from here.
Somebody’s forgotten how to trust, and somebody’s dying for love,
Not too far from here. 
Now I’m letting down my guard and I’m opening my heart. 
Help me speak Your love to ev’ry needful ear, 
Someone is waiting, not too far from here. 
Someone is waiting, not too far from here.

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