I waited in the car as my husband did some grocery shopping for a few weekend items.We were away for a brief change of scene, and a local newspaper lay on my lap, picked up lazily at a nearby "everything" store.
After memorizing almost every car and pedestrian in the parking lot, I opened the paper. My eyes fell on a long feature article with photos of young women or girls and adult women, too. I wondered what they up to when the camera caught them.
By the time my husband returned, I was rereading the article. The information and flavor of the writing had gripped me.
A local writer had written about a special program for pregnant teens trying to finish high school, prepare for labor and parenting. What an outreach, so positive and knowledgeable! There was no sermonizing, only a sense of the writer's excitement over this outreach in her community.
It gave me a wider view of the little community that we otherwise knew only as a place to relax, have some good food, and look at the Chesapeake Bay.
Later, on Search Warp, I read about Avis Ward's work at GeoVi's. She is doing the same thing, affecting lives for years to come. Not only the young mothers but also their babies will have a better chance as long as the teens stay with the encouragement and make good use of it. Terrific!
It thrills me when someone tells about getting a wider view of needs and acting on it. Recently, I visited a friend's Bible Study group. Ages range from about 21 to 96. The leader is the 96-year-old, and she's been leading this study for over 30 years. One of the women that came late was ready when comments were invited before we prayed and left.
"I've been worrying too much about my son's acceptance to an Ivy League school," she said. "Until I saw a Special Olympics event. The parents are on duty 24/7 indefinitely."
The wider view inspired her to promise one of the mothers, whose son especially touched her heart, "I will pray for you every day for the rest of my life."
Since the end of February, I've been getting a wider view. It is not the view of the potential new volunteer or financial supporter, both of which are very important. It is the view of one on the receiving end of others' responses to need. It is showing me the other side of helping, being helped in an unusual situation very new for our family. The actions of others are now affecting our family as recipients of their care and love. It's a completely different, as well as wider, view.
Since Helen, my mother-in-law, became a home hospice patient with us, a hospice team has made a big difference. It's not just their technical skills that count. It's that they bring new faces, voices, and energy into our home, especially on Helen's hardest of days.
Our daughters have done everything from driving and flying long distances to losing sleep, changing the bed, sitting up late, helping with physical therapy exercises, night watches, and food.
Young parents that we know also got going. They took action to offer abundant meals over two weeks when they meant especially a lot to us. On my recent birthday, some of them stayed with Helen so my husband, daughters, and I could go to D. C. for a special dinner.
In church last Sunday, I noticed a new need in the printed program. "We need volunteers to sign up to prepare meals for members and church school families in times of special need."
I have a much wider view now about what that participation can mean to families, what it means to us as a family. I have a wider view about how much especially delicious meals, with salads or desserts carefully provided, also mean, for we have received them.
With this wider view, what am I to do? The church invites participation every month or "one or two times a year. Whatever you can do." I think I can do something more, even with so much going on.
You're probably already doing such things. From the biggest to the seemingly smallest gifts of time and care, it all makes a difference. I think I knew this before, but now it's more of a wider and also a deeper perspective from which I see these things, on the receiving end.
If you know someone in need, a phone call, card, meal, or visit can make a big difference. Check with the family about special dietary needs of the family before you prepare food for everyone.
Wider views with action following is what I wish for anyone ready to receive and give one thing more. Blessings,
Jane
Jean Purcell is a book publisher and writer. Her first book was Not All Roads Lead Home under her pen name, Jane Bullard. Her web site is http://www.opinebooks.com and her Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books blog is at http://janebullard.blogspot.com/ Sign up for the free Opinari Quarterly for Christian Writers, Publishing Professionals, Book Lovers, and Reviewers on her web site.
» left by Ken McCreless from Event Horizon (136 days 7 hours ago.)
This an incredible article, Jane. It really brings to light how one act can make such a difference, or, how profound even the simplest form of assistance can be.
Avis, along with other angels such as yourself, are changing the world!
Dear Ken, I appreciate your encouragement. I see many people doing so much, and am humbled. You are surely among them. You have shared unforgettable perceptions and experiences with us readers. Yes, everything good that is given and received, as you confirm, does matter. God bless you! Jane
Jane, the title of this article caught my attention and then seeing you were the author, I understood. Thank you for speaking out and including me. I won't elaborate but borrow the words of someone else. "One person can make a difference, and every person must try." JFK
You've written what so many need to read in order that they gain A Wider View of Needs. Blessings for all you say and do. You exemplify the characteristics of our Savior in many ways. God bless you!
Jane, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your experience, with the article, and especially your personal life. It is amazing when we are on the receiving end, how it can deepen our understanding. It brings humility, grace, and a even deeper desire to give, if when, ore especially when it involves a little personal sacrifice of time or finances. Blessings to you, I am praying for you. Love, Teresa
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