"A Little Less of Me"

We were visiting a church out of town a couple of Sunday's ago when I noticed an elderly lady standing alone in the crowd after the service was over. I decided to go and introduce myself.

"I didn't know if I was going to make it to church this morning," she said. "Oh, why not? I asked. "I could hardly get out of bed...my body was aching so bad. I had to mow my yard yesterday," she answered. "You mowed your yard!" I exclaimed. I probably shouldn't have asked but I had to know. "How old are you?" I asked. "I'm eighty-two," she said. I inquired if there was someone who could help her. "I used to have someone, she said, recalling the person to mind, but now I live alone." I wondered if it had been her husband. I told her I didn't think she should be mowing the yard. With that, she answered... "I have no one." I wanted to wave a flag and yell, "Hey people! Over here! This lady needs her yard mowed!"

How often we get caught up in just everyday living that we fail to see others around us who need help or encouragement. From what I gathered, she had lived there all her life and had probably attended that church for many years. Sometimes it is easy to allow ourselves to get so caught up in our small perimeter of relationships that we hurry past an opportunity to bless someone. I am hoping that I can find someone who will check on this lady and be a help to her.

I know that I am often guilty of not noticing when someone else needs help. So I have been challenging myself to look around and see if I can bless someone. I have found that even opening a door for someone or giving someone grace in a long line of traffic will bring a friendly smile or a wave of gratitude. A hug or a smile does wonders! And yes! We have young neighbors on our street who mow the yard and shovel the snow for an 85 year old man who lives across from us. We also have a friend who lost her husband a couple of years ago that lives close to us. When the opportunity arises, we help her when we can.

A song was written several years ago by Glen Campbell. There are times when I hear the music and words in my mind. It goes something like this...

Let me be a little kinder

Let me be a little blinder

To the faults of those about me

Let me praise a little more

Let me be when I am weary

Just a little bit more cheery

Think a little more of others and

A little less of me...

Let me be a little braver

When temptation bids me waver

Let me strive a little harder

To be all that I should be

Let me be a little meeker

With the brother that is weaker

Let me think more of my neighbor

And a little less of me

Let me be when I am weary

Just a little bit more cheery

Let me serve a little better

Those that I am striving for

Let me be a little meeker

With a brother that is weaker

Think a little more of others

And a little less of me.

I Thessalonians 5 tells us... to encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone... and always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Proverbs 14:31 says..."but whoever is kind to the needy, honors God."