Friday, March 09, 2007

Sometimes random acts of kindness and the tender mercies of the Lord...

...are the same thing, I think.

For instance, today I was walking with Ems and Bridey in the double stroller. We were stuck at the little island between two crosswalks that cross a very busy street. I put the brake on, but apparently it didn't catch all the way. I went to go and push the crosswalk button, about five feet away, and as I pushed it, Emma started wiggling, because she wanted to keep going. I saw the stroller start to roll into fast-moving, oncoming traffic, and lunged, knowing as I did that I was not going to make it, and all I could hope for was cars to notice and swerve until I could pull it back-- and at that exact moment, a mother walking her young son was passing it, and was paying attention despite being a little past it. Without a word or a thought, she turned around, grabbed the stroller, and held it until I made it there. With a smile, she moved on. And I praised the Lord and thanked Him for this act of kindness from a stranger. Because it was both an act of kindness and goodness, on her part-- and an act of love and protection on His. God knows when we will be in need and provides the instruments for our help and protection well in advance-- often in the form of putting those around us in the right place and position to help us. I truly believe this. Maybe we can all pay attention to these opportunities to serve others in small ways and recognize them for what they are-- an opportunity to be the instrument of the Lord's tender mercies in someone's life.

3 comments:

Awesome Mom said...

You would have to be a pretty sad person to not stop a stroller that was heading towards traffic. It really was wonderful that that woman was in the right spot at the right time.

Lana said...

glad for your sweet girls that everything was fine.
I'm also glad that you took the time to recognize the Lord's hand in your life and in this incident. We need to stop and do that more often.

Jennifer Swanepoel said...

Oh, my heart would have stopped. And people say God doesn't work miracles anymore!!