I Dare You...

So my daughter got on my blog the other day then promptly chastised me for not having anything new posted.  I said "I can't write every day, I will run out of stuff to write!"

Her reply was, "Come on mom, this is YOU we are talking about.  You will always have something to write about!"

So, here I am, again.  I started thinking of things I could share with you.  I could share the funny things that my hubby says at 2 am while he is sleeping….but maybe at another time.  Instead, I want to share a funny story from Richard Paul Evans.  He is a great author, and I have read some of his books.  My hubby loved his book "The Walk".  My dear grandma asked me to find some info about Mr. Evans to share with a group of friends that had read that same book.  While looking for the information, I ran across Mr. Evans' blogsite.  I was surprised to see that he in fact does have a personal blog! 

Anyhow, the following story is a true event that took place in his life.  I would like to share it with you now:

This is a true story. It still makes me laugh when I think about it. Feel free to share.

One morning I was driving to my mother-in-law’s house in a small gated community when I noticed an elderly man sitting in a bush, his legs sticking up in the air. I stopped my car, rolled down the window and shouted to the man.

“Are you okay?”

“Yep.”

“Did you fall?”

“Yep.”

“Do you need some help?”

“I’d appreciate it.”

I got out of my car and pulled the man out of the bush.

“How did you fall in a bush?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I was just walking. Next thing I know, I’m in a bush.”

“Did you call for help?”

“No. My son was coming by this afternoon. I figured he would probably see me.”

I walked the man home and into his house. His wife was sitting at the kitchen table as we walked in.

“Your husband fell,” I said. “He’s not hurt.”

She just stared at me for a moment then she said to her husband, “You brought home Richard Paul Evans?”

He looked at me and said, “Who?”

“Richard Paul Evans. He’s an author. I have all his books.”

“I don’t know who he is. He pulled me out of a bush.”

She looked back at me and said, “As long as you’re here, would you mind signing my books?”

 The End

for more about Richard Paul Evans visit his blogsite at http://www.richardpaulevans.com 

I think it is great that a famous author took the time to notice someone in need.  Even more amazing, he took the time to help.  He didn't need to be asked, he just did it.  How many of you would be willing to help someone in need, especially if that someone is a stranger?

At Christmas time, when the lines in the checkout at Wal-Mart are the longest, I was placed in just such a situation.  My hubby and I were finishing up the last of our shopping and landed in line behind a couple that had a cart packed full of wrapping paper and 2 liter bottles of pop.  We are talking 25 of EACH!  My mind raced with possibilities of what so much stuff would be used for.  I also noticed that the wife was in a wheelchair.  I watched as the husband made the purchase and then left the store.  As I made my purchases, I started to wonder about the couple that was in front of us.  They obviously had caring hearts, cuz in my mind they were either going to share their purchase with family or take it to a women's shelter so they could take part in the Christmas traditions.

As we left the store, I happened to notice that this same couple was right outside the doors.  The husband had brought the truck around and was in the process of filling it with his purchase.  I surprised myself by asking him if he wanted any help.  This was out of caricature for me, cuz I rarely offer help to those I don't know.  Although he declined my help, he had a smile on his face and was grateful for the offer.  I also took something away from this experience - I took the feeling of love for others, not just for the people that I have close contact with each day, but the love for all people and the ability to see each person as a child of God.  I could also feel that Heavenly Father was pleased with me for my willingness to help a stranger.

My day was made a little brighter cuz I stretched myself just a little.  How about you, are you willing to break out of your shell and help someone you don't know?  I dare you - the blessings are worth it!