Life preserver

(Narrated from past experience in 2017)

I helped a woman having a stroke at Target today.  She must have been shopping with all her daughter’s and sister’s; like a big holiday shopping trip with all the women of the family.  Her daughter’s were scared and some were crying, the others were teary too and I was met with this absolutely heightened state of alertness.  I very calmly asked questions, directed the Target associate to call 911, and had someone get a chair so she wouldn’t fall.  I realized as the paramedics arrived and I started to back away, that they were all thanking me over and over again. 

“I really didn’t do anything,” I thought?

I “helped” with very limited resources. I knew this woman needed a CT scan (among other things), but I’m in Target so all I could do was keep her safe from falling and assess what I could.  I realized what they were actually thanking me for was being a voice of reason in their chaos.  This was the ultimate crisis in their whole family right now. 

I was a life preserver.

I held them up in strength and courage.  I stayed in that place of uncertainty with them.   I validated their concern and supported their helplessness by just being present.  That in itself is comforting.  A stranger who is willing to hold your hand and help. 

A servants heart is my gift from God.  A willingness to give of myself out of compassion, courage, and a strength from the depths of my soul.  My ability to react in an emergency with God given clarity is truly a humble gift.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to serve and be a life preserver  for only those few minutes they needed someone, anyone.  Please heal her and give her family comfort tonight.  In Jesus name, Amen.