Very recently I had the opportunity to help a friend and her family move to a new house.It was a typical Saturday with a variety of people there doing the best they could to stay organized, help where they could or just stay out of the way when necessary.At one point I overheard my friend’s daughter exclaim that her and her husband really liked having a truck for their own use, but found it to be a pain in the butt because everyone would ask them to haul stuff or volunteer them to move things.This isn’t a new statement, as I’ve heard it for years and honestly I’ve been one of those people asking for help from a friend with a pickup.I’ve also been on the other side of that scenario having a truck and being asked.To be honest, I really like being on the truck side of the story.I liked being able to help people when they needed it most and I have never felt like I was being taken advantage of.
If you think about it, when people are moving or doing some kind of large project, they are already stressed and feeling very vulnerable.This is a time of big change for them and their vulnerability will generally cause them to be very cautious of everything going on around them.This also includes the people they choose to have around them at that time.Granted, there may be those who ask for help or assume you will be available and don’t necessarily show their appreciation (like your children) but these people aren’t acting this way to be mean, it’s probably because they just aren’t attuned to what it all means.
I can honestly say that being asked to help someone (whether it’s moving or anything else) is truly on an honor.This means that I have been selected not only because I have some kind of asset that can help them, but I’m also someone that they trust enough to handlesome of their most precious belongings.And, I’m someone that they want to spend time with and share this time in their life.If you think back on the times people have helped you move or do some kind of project, I bet you remember every person that spent time with you.I bet you have an emotional connection and vivid memories of large portions of that time with them.You probably worked hard, took breaks and talked, ate a meal together, problem solved issues, celebrated, smiled, laughed and maybe even cried some.
The moving or project was something that needed to be done.It was a domestic task that enabled you to enjoy your living environment in some way.But of everything you did on that day to move or finish the project, the part you will remember the longest and the clearest is the people who were there to help you.These are the important parts of life that go beyond the new house or large deck or the new brick patio.
As I was driving home from the day of packing, hauling and becoming quite tired, I started to think back over the day.I was thinking about how much fun it was to share that time with my friend, her family and other friends.I was thinking about the feeling of community and fellowship that we shared, even if it was only for a few hours.I thought about how important it is that we all help one another in their time of need or change.It didn’t matter to me the kind of house or neighborhood she moved to.It didn’t matter who was there to notice I helped.It wasn’t about these kinds of superficial things.The time I spent helping was what it really means to love someone and be glad you are part of their life.It is a time to cherish and behold the beauty of the sharing.
If you have a truck, be glad in the difference you can make in someone’s life and be prepared for the changes you will receive in yours.After all, WWJD? 😉
Dwight Raatz
Comments