I am planting a few things today!
There is something marvelous
about bringing in vegetables from your own garden. Course my garden is
only being planted and it is very small, so once a week, the next best
thing is going to the Farmer's Market to buy the fresh garden
vegetables planted by someone else!
This week at the market I
happened to spot a little woman and the look in her eyes disturbed me.
She looked a bit frightened and there was no peacefulness about her. I
do not know her but quite a few years ago I saw her. She looked so
serene that day, I believe it was nine years ago. I am wondering what
disturbance or uncertainties are happening in her life to be causing her
distress. Of course a lot can happen in nine years.
When I last
saw her she was also in the midst of a busy scene, but that day she
appeared to be calm and at peace with life.
It was her size that
caught my eye the first time I saw her. She had no legs and just sat
peacefully near a sidewalk cafe watching life around her.
Her
shoes were tin cans. They were about four inches tall and what appeared
to be ordinary 14-ounce cans. The cans seemed to act as protectors for
the lady as she crawled. Actually she didn't really crawl, as she had
no knees. I imagine she possibly had short stubs for legs with cans
fitted over them. I noticed her as I sat at the sidewalk cafe.
She moved slowly by leaning forward until her gloved hands were on the
pavement, then she hoisted herself forward, dragging her trunk and the
tin can protectors. Then she would lean forward again and the procedure
repeated itself. When she was right across from me she halted and sat
there gazing around at the people.
The day was beautiful and she
sat there in the sun, looking serene and comfortable, observing life
around her.
My heart went out to her and I opened my wallet to
find money for her. When I approached her with it she brought up her
right arm to accept it and as I leaned down to her it hit me that there
was no place to put the money. She had no fingers or thumbs. I asked her
if she would like me to place it in her bag and with a lovely smile and
a pleasing, soft voice she said yes and thanked me.
I returned to
my seat and continued talking with my husband but found my thoughts
straying to her. I felt concern. Her options for earning a living were
limited. I hoped others at the sidewalk cafe would notice her and offer
her charity.
A group of tourists next to us paid their bill and
started to leave. I looked at them and thought, "Please see her and
open your heart and your handbag." But one by one they passed her by,
not even glancing down, yet I knew they had to have seen her. If they
looked down they would have had to acknowledge her existence. Was it
easier for them to pretend she didn't exist?
The people next to
us paid their bill and started to leave. The last lady in the group
stopped and opened her handbag. I held my breath, hoping she was looking
for cash for the tin can lady, not for a tip. She retrieved something
from her bag and walked over leaning down to offer it to the physically
challenged lady.
I observed the sweet smile of the lady with the
tin can shoes as she accepted the charity. Then I watched as she began
her slow journey down the street; lean forward, connect with pavement
and pull. What a resilient woman! She moved in an astounding manner.
She had an attitude about her. She was accepting and uncomplaining
and I felt I had encountered someone very special, a woman of grace. She
didn't ask for anything. In fact, it was as though she was oblivious
to her own plight. She merely sat, enjoying the day, gracing each
stranger with a smile. Perhaps she was not there that day to beg . I
suspect she was there that day to give. From her I received an
appreciation for all I had.
There are times in our lives when it
is our turn to give to others and what we give may be money, an act of
kindness, a smile, a kind word, a shoulder to cry on, or such a look of
serenity that it motivates others. We cannot see into the homes or minds
of others. We know NOT what they are suffering, yet our gentle spirits,
our thoughtfulness, our warm smiles, caring words or helpfulness may
make a huge difference. We each have much to give!
You are a
wonderful giver!
A Time and a Season
Today's Bible Verse:
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to
everyone, able to teach, not resentful." (2 Tim 2:24)
A Time and a Season
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