Hello, folks. Sometimes the most unexpected things can cause us to reflect on our lives and see things in a different light. From that moment, everything changes. I know I'll never be the same.
Well, let me back up a bit. Life for me was forging forward as usual - quite a struggle at times, but nothing really exceptional was happening. I was constantly dealing with depressive thoughts and a sluggish apathy which threatened to take over - no doubt intended to distract me from my purpose of living. I was ready to give up but always found a reason each day to go on. There was always something to keep me going, some little hope hidden like a treasure in each day, a challenge to discover.
You know what always brought me out of that darkness? Finding that someone else needed me, and doing whatever I could to help that person. This week, there have been two major things already which have really revitalized my existence by the purpose of serving others. Making something for another person, something unexpected and special, is an activity I thoroughly enjoy.
One, a close friend of mine has been feeling fatigued lately and not up to the usual list of household chores and cooking. So, I took it upon myself to cook dinner this week, being as creative as possible with the ingredients while creating simple and delicious yet nutritious meals. Even though recently I had been losing appetite and the enjoyment of cooking and eating, the simple act of preparing food for someone else gave me great joy and boosted my own appetite. I look forward each day now to trying a new recipe or technique to delight and satisfy my friends.
Two, I found a homeless person lying on the street. Walking by, I felt the pull of what some call fate - the harkening to an old story of the Good Samaritan - and wondered what on earth I could offer this person. With my limited means and nothing on my person save for school supplies, I pondered and wracked my brains searching for an idea of how to give something to that person. For to me, that person was Jesus, lying there helpless and poor, at wit's end, exhausted, probably hungry and cold, and above all, alone. "There but for the grace of God go I," played like a refrain in my head. I rushed home and threw together a bundle of what little I could find, jotted a quick note and hurried back to that person. Not wanting to disturb their sleep, I placed the bundle in their cart and walked home. Today, I saw the man standing near a bus stop nearby where I had first found him, and as I walked by, I smiled at him, thinking how he would probably never know how much I longed to share in his suffering and to give whatever I could to help him.
It really breaks my heart to see people drinking themselves to death. Whatever brought them to that place was probably extremely painful emotionally, if not physically. And since there seemed to be nobody else around, I wanted to be the one to help; I felt called. I hope I will see my friend around again soon, so that I can know how he is doing and pray for him specifically. Moreover, I will stockpile little supplies as I can get them to give to others like him if I should happen to encounter them on my way.
Now I feel like I can truly live St. Therese's Vivre d'amour, "to live by love". To live for others, not only those who do good to me or those who are my blood relatives, but any human being who is suffering and for whom I have the capacity to do good. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this opportunity to meet you in my lowly brother!
Now let me live! Because life is too short to die without giving of myself and sacrificing for others who need a little compassion.
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