GiveThe Gift of Yourself

We have all experienced those times when someone we know had surgery, is ill or is just going through a difficult time. We think about them, probably pray for them, but then think “But What Can I Do?” It is at these times that we are called to be Christ for one another. That doesn’t mean that what we do has to be huge.

A number of years ago, I had cervical spine surgery for an “exploded disk”. I was unable to do much of anything for myself for 5 months. My restrictions included no bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, driving, reaching over my head (that’s hard when you are only 5 feet tall!) or straining of any type. Lifting was limited to 5 pounds. I was in a large hard neck collar that did not allow me to look up, down, or sideways. Okay, now keeping these restrictions in mind, think through daily activities. What CAN one do? Not much. It was a humbling experience to have a friend help me with a shower and other personal cares. But I was so thankful that she would do it! 

Okay, maybe you wouldn’t be comfortable helping someone with a shower but there are many things that you can do to reach out to those in need. Family, friends and neighbors visited, brought the Eucharist, brought a meal to eat during a visit or a casserole for later, did my laundry, made my bed with fresh sheets, vacuumed, loaded/unloaded the dishwasher, took me to medical appointments, called me on the phone to be sure I was okay, put my socks on, changed the dressings on my neck, cared for my not so well trained puppy for three weeks (my brother), walked my puppy after she was home, cleaned the cats’ litter boxes, dusted, washed my kitchen floor, replaced burned out lights, emptied garbage,  took trash cans out, got my mail, drove 30 miles round trip to bring me an Easter Lily and say hi for just a few minutes on Easter, fixed Easter dinner at my house instead of theirs, gave me rides to Mass, took me grocery shopping then put the groceries away, hooked up a VCR so I could use exercise tapes a bit later on,  and yes, prayed for me.

When Christ taught us to reach out to one another He meant the little day to day things too. The above list may seem long, but it was divided by about 21 people, most of whom were parishioners from my parish. With each person doing just a little bit, it was not overwhelming for anyone.  We were in the middle of a three-year spiritual growth campaign at that time and were being reminded to “Practice Our Faith”. There are many ways to do this, but one significant way is to help those in need, even if it’s seems miniscule to you. When one can’t do much of anything even a simple task being done is a major gift.  

As a recipient of this Faith being practiced, all I can say is “Wow, I am so blessed to have so many wonderful Christian caring people in my life.”

In closing, I offer this prayer: “We thank you dear Lord, for teaching us the ways to be Christ for one another and granting the humility needed to gratefully accept help when needed. Living our lives in this manner draws us closer to each other and closer to You and Your ways each day. Help us to remember that there is something that we give to others, every day; ourselves.”