Dear Friend,
A lot of the lists I share tend to be tongue in cheek, but I’m going to open this month’s issue with a different kind of list: a list of strangers I’ll never forget.
1. The guy at Tokyo station who missed his train so he could help our family get to the right platform.
2. The childcare worker at our church in Virginia who made a point to tell me what a cool kid my middle child is.
3. The flight attendant who preemptively brought me an extra set of wings (the kind you pin on, not chicken) because she was a mom and knew having two little kids and only one set of wings might cause a problem.
4. Two guys who stopped to help me when my car spun out on the freeway during a snowstorm.
5. Church ladies who provided meals for us when J was born.
6. Man who replaced the alternator on my pick-up truck when it died somewhere in Indiana on a road trip from Michigan to Alabama.
7. Joggers and neighbors who stopped to help us navigate our van out of a very tight spot in Japan.
The man. Childcare worker. Church ladies. The guys. Even though each person provided physical help, comfort, or encouragement at much needed time, I never knew any of their names. I never saw any of them again. And yet, I still remember many of their faces vividly. I remember their words, their patience, their grace, most of all, how they made me feel: safe, relieved, seen, and loved.
Someone asked me if I had seen images from Hurricane Ida the other day, and I answered honestly, “No.” I explained that I was taking a break from the news that day, as it had all become too much to bear. I don’t have to tell you that the world feels extra heavy right now. We are weary. The weight of the pain and suffering of others, plus the anxieties and worries I have in my own daily life can bring me to a point where I feel helpless. Lord, what can I do? I wonder. How can I help from here? I have nothing to offer. I can’t change anyone’s mind. I can’t fix any of this.
There’s a famous Fred Rogers quote that has stuck with me, and maybe with you as well: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” In the news and in our own communities, we can see the obvious helpers right away: healthcare workers, firefighters, and other first responders come to mind. Maybe for some of us, friends and family step in as helpers, carrying our burdens and lightening our loads with listening ears, kind words, and other tangible assistance. As my list above highlights, many times, helpers can come in the form of strangers. These people were not obligated to help due to their profession. They had no prior relationship with me or my family members. They chose to step in and help out of care and concern, out of a desire to to the right thing. Out of love.
So if things are feeling heavy or scary or out of control in your world, first, know that you are not alone. Second, don’t forget, as Mr. Rogers and his mom remind us, to look for the helpers. But maybe most importantly? Be the helpers. It might not feel like much, but even a simple smile, a free coffee paid for in the drive through line, or a small act of service for a stranger can make a big difference. Little acts, done in love, can have big impacts.
Journal Prompt / Reflection
Who are some of the strangers you’ll never forget?
When you are feeling overwhelmed, what is something that grounds you and helps you feel peace?
What is one small thing you can do to be a helper today or tomorrow?