The Greatest Gifts

SOMETIMES THE GREATEST GIFTS ARE GIVEN BY THOSE WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO GIVE: 

This past Thursday morning found me at my Volunteer Caseworker Desk at PATH (People Attempting to Help), a  non-profit agency designed and dedicated to helping those who need a “hand up” when they have hit one of those Really Big Bumps in Life — Lost their job, health issues and no money for prescriptions, pay that out of control electric bill in consistent 102 degree weather, extra food because 6 hungry grandchildren are staying with them this summer….you get the picture ! 

Please know that this volunteer activity puts me in a very direct position to observe the fact that “there is another world out there, folks ” and it is a weekly lesson in “Be thankful, Old Woman”. 

I observe people with all types of personalities:  angry with their situation, hopeless, abusing the system, grateful, embarrassed, fighting to survive, really trying but desperate….etc.  Well, this particular morning one of my first clients was a woman of about 38 who had a multitude of issues (and they all do….just asking for food is never the real problem once you begin to talk with them) She had just gotten out of the hospital for extreme anxiety, high blood pressure, etc. brought on by the gang style shooting in New Orleans of her nephew and his girlfriend witnessed by their 3 yr old, who hid under the bed but was shot in the leg as she crawled under….(THAT’S the other world)  Anyway, she was a basket of nerves and needed her prescriptions filled, had “caught” a one-way ride to PATH, but had no way to get back home.  I took care of the voucher for her meds with no problem, but she was crying because, in her emotional state, just getting home was an “insurmountable” task,… to say nothing of going by the pharmacy to pick up her meds. 

Well, you know how God is….He gave me that “shoulder nudge” (sometimes it’s a strong behind-the-ear flick when I’m not paying attention) and I took her out into the lobby where the other clients were seated waiting to be called in by a Caseworker….and I said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, this lady lives at ________ and she really needs a ride home”.  One lady said….”I would, but someone brought me”…and another lady said….”I live the other side of town and I’m on my way to work”….BUT THEN, a man in the corner raised his hand and said “I know where those apartments are, and I’ll be happy to take her home….but she will have to wait until I see a Caseworker for my problem”.  

She now cried even harder with appreciation, I was teary but thanked him over and over for his kindness….and he said, “I can’t do much to help right now, but THIS is something I CAN DO….and it makes me feel good to do it !”  OK, ….so guess who gets his case file and gets him into her office …yep, me….and then guess what he needed since he was in between jobs and couldn’t afford it…..yep, two prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy I gave her a voucher for ! 

AND SO, Dear Ones, God used his “magic” once again and set it all up….and not only did she have a ride home, but a ride to pick up her prescriptions on the way…..and the person who received the greatest gift that day was the man who gave what he could…..No, I take that back,….I received the greatest gift just watching the Lord work !  I just can’t imagine how busy He must be putting “all these plans and puzzles” into place all the time….but never too busy to watch over all His children !  Lucky, lucky us !  You are loved,….and so am I !   suzanne