I had a billion errands to run.I told myself I’d never run errands again with two kids. There are times though when things need to get done and those things just don’t care if you have two kids or not!
Our first stop was the library. We had exactly 14 books that were overdue.
To paint a picture- Savy is screaming her little head off in the back because she can’t keep her thumb in her mouth and Boston is freaking out because he’s dropped his coloring book. I haven’t eaten breakfast so I’m shoving fishie crackers in my mouth to quiet the hunger pangs. I am also on the phone with Shawnee because the car seems to be about the only place Boston will actually let me talk on it!
I pull up to the drop off box and it’s locked. From 10-11. Perfect. My one easy errand. You should see me. I’m pulling on this drop off box like it’s actually going to open if I pull it hard enough. I am now telling Shawnee how I have to go because I now need to unload both kids to drop off a few books. So mad right now.
If you have ever had to unload two kids from the car you’ll know why I’m so upset about this! It’s one thing to unload them when you’re going somewhere. But to have to just turn around and load them back in? Oh gees. Boston is going to start crying because he’ll want to stay and I won’t be able to physically buckle him in his car seat because that boy is getting so strong. So I’ll have to use my knee and the people next to me will think I’m either stealing a child that isn’t mine or being abusive. Both of which are glares I don’t like getting.
As I get back in my car I notice a lady walking across the street. She is motioning for me to roll my window down. This wonderful women then asks if I wouldn’t mind her returning my books. I was so caught off guard with her kindness I almost started crying.
Today I want to talk a tiny bit about those little Good Samaritan moments. Elder Rasband gave a talk in General Conference titled Special Lessons. He said:
“If you come upon a person who is drowning, would you ask if they need help—or would it be better to just jump in and save them from the deepening waters? The offer, while well meaning and often given, “Let me know if I can help” is really no help at all.
We continue to learn the important value of being aware of and interested in the lives of those around us, learning not only the importance of giving help but also the overwhelming joy that comes from helping others.
Dear President Thomas S. Monson, who is such a magnificent example of lifting the downtrodden, said: “God bless all who endeavor to be their brother’s keeper, who give to ameliorate suffering, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world. Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile? Their footsteps are more certain. They have an aura about them of contentment and satisfaction … for one cannot participate in helping others without experiencing a rich blessing himself.”
The more we help others the more joy and happiness we will see in our own life. Giving service doesn’t need to be this big huge thing. It can be as simple as returning a struggling mothers library books. I just want to remind us all to start noticing the simple acts of kindness we can show towards others. There are opportunities every single day for us to make a difference in the world. Watch out for those opportunities, pray for them and then let them bless and enrich your life. I know that as we become more aware of those around us and strive to serve and help others our life will become more full and we will find true happiness.
LOVED THIS!!! My random act of kindness is always to the little old ladies outside of Aldi… They have just walked up and down the aisles and the thought of them returning their cart to the corral to collect theier quarter is too much sometimes. The smile on their face when I return their cart and then bring them their refunded quarter back while they are buckling up in the cart is priceless. Wouldn’t trade it for the world!
What a wonderful post! I saw something like this today when I was getting out of the car, and it just about made me cry! There was this old (seriously, like 80 years old!)man and his wife in the Walmart parking lot. They were trying to unload these big bags of potting soil into the car, but neither of them were strong enough to lift them. This other man was walking to his car and stopped to help them. It warmed my heart to see that people will stop and help others. It just seems like it’s something you see less and less these days. I am SO happy that someone stopped and helped YOU! 🙂
when a random person does something nice for me it makes my day and i always do something for someone else in return 🙂 sometimes the kindness of strangers can surprise you!
I got so into your little story that I almost cried when you said she offered! (Okay, so I’m pregnant too, but still!) Thanks for the reminder that the little things count! I’ll definitely be praying for more opportunities.
I think every mom hates dragging the kids in and out of the car for quick trips. I haven’t been inside of a gas station for a drink for almost 5 years now (unless I’m alone) because of that. It’s just not worth it, is it? Some of the sweetest kindnesses I’ve received are Gma aged ladies talking to my kids to distract them while in a checkout line when they are done having been in a cart for an hour and are melting down.
I loved that talk! Thanks for the post. Cute blog!
Love it! But to be honest, I would’ve parked close and ran in real quick. 🙂