As I look back over the years of my life, the events that have impacted me most have not been gifts given, although those have been nice; kind words spoken have helped; but the events that have impacted me most have been through the love that was shown.
The biggest contrast I remember involved Stacey when she was 11 years old. We were visiting England and staying with a relative. Our hostess had never had children of her own, but had for most of her working life been involved in the running of a number of preschools, so she was used to dealing with young ones.
We stayed with her for about a week. There was only one bathroom and one day Stacey went to bath. When she had finished she took the towel that was hanging in the bathroom and she used it to dry herself. I was in my room, so didn’t hear the encounter between our hostess and Stacey. Only later when I went downstairs did the hostess say, “I’m afraid I’ve upset the child!” It turns out the towel Stacey used was the hostess’s towel and she was very annoyed by it and gave Stacey a good scolding. Poor Stacey.
In contrast, not long after we returned home, we visited our dear friends Oupes and Aunty Wyn Beale. Aunty Wyn encouraged Stacey to help herself to juice which was in the fridge. Stacey went off to do just that. The juice bottle, however, was slippery and it slipped right out of Stacey’s fingers and smashed to the floor leaving glass and orange juice scattered across the floor. Stacey rushed outside to the patio where we were sitting and with her face flushed she just stood there speechless and in distress. “Stacey! What’s wrong!?” I followed her to the kitchen and saw the mess. I explained to Aunty Wyn, who graciously took Stacey in her arms and told her not to worry – it’s only juice.
Oupes crowned the event with these words, which I’ve never forgotten “Don’t worry Stacey. I’ve a new mop that I’ve been dying to try out and now I can!” And he went off to clean up the mess.
Two events.
Two very different attitudes.
The warm fuzzy feeling is always going to come from the one where love was shown.
What a difference!
I don’t know what Stacey remembers of those two events – but this certainly was my recollection. It endeared me so very much to Aunty Wyn and Oupes. I’ve never forgotten it.
I guess the moral is for me to show more love.
If people look back at my actions towards them, will they see the love that was shown.
I know I have failed dismally in some encounters with people.
I can only trust God and try and do better.
John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
#285 of my 1000 thanks is for a warm and meaningful church service this morning – we went to St. Peter’s, Fish Hoek, 8am service.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx
Aunty Wyn-
Aunty Wyn Beale on her 90th birthday. She now lives in Sydney, Australia