One Good Turn

I was reading Sunflower Optimism's post about making a difference in the world by starting with those around you which made me think of this story.

A few years ago, I was walking my dog Maggie. We were new to this neighborhood. I had found a few streets I liked to walk (this was before I discovered my creek.) but Maggie, as always, had her own opinion. She preferred to hike up the street and down this tiny road full of snarling big dogs.

I just don't like to work that hard walking the dog. My daily walks are a spiritual time for me. I get lost in my thoughts and yes, I talk to God.

This particular day was no different. Maggie had won that morning's "argument" and we had made it down the tiny road with very little fuss. Knowing that the rest of the walk would be easy, I was praying.

I asked God for the opportunity to help someone that day. As fast as I said that prayer, whizzing around the corner comes this car making a horrible racket. It was being driven by a very small, older woman with a look of sheer terror on her face.

I knew immediately that she had no idea what was wrong with her car...but I did!

As she drove toward us, it was very plain to see...she had a paint bucket stuck under her car. And the metal on concrete was making a horrendous noise.

I held my hand up for her to stop. She rolled down her window, talking a mile a minute. I asked her to put it in park, tied Mags to a fence and crawled under the car and removed the can. This lady was SO grateful.

And that has to be the fastest one of my prayers was ever answered!

So-- we all have opportunities every day to make a tiny difference to someone... It may be a tiny thing to us but it might mean the world to someone else.