By Day, By Night—Be of Service All the Time

A Year of Being Kind blog – Saturday, May 3, 2014

By Day, By Night—Be of Service All the Time

If I really wanted to puff myself up, I could say I was of service a number of times today. During the day, during the evening. (But I don’t want to puff myself up. I really don’t.)

I’ll relate a little about what happened today, and I’ll let my readers decide.

My husband needed a raincoat today. (Actually, he’s needed one for the past few weeks.) So, he decided that today was the day. Today, he’d go to the store to get a new raincoat. He is not fond of shopping, or even going into a large store. Especially a clothing store. He thinks of shopping for clothes as something that he would only rarely, willingly, do. And that’s for clothing for himself. I can count on one hand the times when he has been in a clothing store with me, when I have been looking for clothing. But I digress. My topic for the day is being of service. During the day, it’s to my husband.

He asked my recommendations. After some concerted thinking, I gave him the name of a primary store, and of two secondary stores. (Just in case—that is the way he prefers.) Our first stop had just the thing he was looking for. I also was of service to him in helping him decide between two coats. (The raincoat he ended up buying did have a better fit in the shoulders.) He was in a fine mood when we went on our way home!

Tonight, I kept going with the encyclopedia article. Now, after I’ve gathered a number of resources—articles, books, charts, and various other fact sheets, I can really sink my teeth into the fun of putting the article together. Yes! I know that this article on alcoholism will help many people, when the book finally gets published.

I enjoy writing, editing, and writing some more. If I do say so myself, I am pretty good at communication. So, writing several articles for the Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs is right up my alley. This encyclopedia I’m talking about? It’s going to be a general reference book, on the shelf in libraries all over the country. I suspect that this article on alcoholism will be helpful, eye-opening, and a blessing to many.

Just generally helpful, that’s me. That’s a big reason why I am trying to do intentional acts of service each day. Besides being a great discipline, writing every day is a challenging experience. But I get the feeling that God is pleased, too..

If anyone does have something to suggest regarding this blog, or what I ought to publish, please let me know! I appreciate every one of you. Thanks so much for reading!

@chaplaineliza

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Being Kind at a Library

A Year of Being Kind blog – Sunday, April 27, 2014

library clipart illustration

Being Kind at a Library

Today was Sunday. The second Sunday of Easter. Today was also a busy day and evening for me. Since a nearby library has open hours on Sunday evenings, I decided to head there after dinnertime. I’m in the process of writing several articles for an encyclopedia, and I wanted to do some additional research. Busily (and happily), I involved myself with research until almost nine o’clock.

I could have written about several encounters I had today. But one brief encounter stuck in my mind. I packed up my laptop and came down to the library lobby, a little before nine. As I entered the vestibule with the sliding doors, I noticed two people blocking the primary exit doors—one library employee and an older library patron with a fancy walker. The older man was a bit stooped. He peered through his glasses anxiously, into the chill and the rain. He seemed to be waiting for someone or something.

This older man caught my attention. As I zipped up my coat, he turned toward me with some stiffness. I could see he had some kind of difficulty in walking or in movement. His shoulders were not quite square as he tried to face me. I smiled at him. Open, friendly. “Hello! You look like you’re waiting for someone.” I nodded with my head at the pavement—and street—outside. Relaxed and easy, I continued to smile.

The man opened right up, and engaged with me immediately. He nodded his graying, frizzy head at me, saying “Yes, I’m waiting for a cab.” He looked outside again, and frowned. The library employee excused himself, and went outside to see whether the cab happened to be waiting around the corner. (Which every once in a while, they are.)

As is the case with some people, the older man started telling me about his life. Waiting for the cab, how long it would take at times. What he was carrying with him in a bag (he showed me), and more, besides. His manner and style of communication seemed a bit awkward, probably due to his physical condition. But I could tell his mind was sharp as a tack.

Our brief interaction was pleasant, open. I could honestly say I think I made a new friend tonight. I smiled again, my bright, cheerful smile. I wished him well and a safe trip home despite the wet and the cold. As I walked to my car, I reflected on the fact that I could have asked him whether he might appreciate a ride home. But—I wasn’t sure how he might receive the offer. On top of which, I did not know what kind (kinds?) of physical difficulties he might have. I did not desire to have an unknown man of questionable health and mobility in my car. Even though he might appreciate the ride.

God, I know I could have offered him a ride. Forgive me for not offering. How sad—and awful—to be considering insurance and liability. That was why I prayed for the older man, though. I really wanted to do the kind thing, and be of service to him. I pray I was.

@chaplaineliza

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