Army Specialist Juanita Garcia was Sergeant Kaylee Williams’ Supply Assistant, and tried to welcome her to the Company. As a friendly gesture, Sergeant Williams baked a dozen strawberry filled angel food cupcakes and visited her on their off duty off hours. Arriving at her on post housing quarters, Sergeant Williams waved at her from her vehicle. She complimented her on how beautiful her rose garden was. She ignored her fear of her little dog though afraid it might bite her as it jumped all over her feet and trousers. She offered to take her around the post to familiarize her with key areas that she would more than likely have to visit each week. But it seemed to Sergeant Williams that she was making little progress with the Specialist.
Then Sergeant Williams five year old daughter had to be immediately rushed to the hospital with tonsillitis. With two other small children and her husband deployed to Afghanistan, Sergeant Williams was in serious trouble. She could not leave the other alone or take them with her. Specialist Garcia saw her dilemma and quickly came to her aid, “Hey, Sarge! I’ll take care of Olivia and Dylan while you take Bayley to the hospital”. Though she was her supervisor she did not want to seem as though she was pulling rank on a subordinate. But an emergency faced her so she accepted her offer. It saved the day. From that period of time Sergeant Williams and Specialist Garcia became the best of friends as well as Company members.
Sergeant Williams weeks after the emergency wondered if she had made the difference. Her daughter unexpected medical emergency that threatened her daughter’s life caused her to submit to her subordinate soldier. Sergeant Williams resolved that she would not become so involved in “doing for others” that she refuses THEIR need to “do for others” as well. After all, she thought, getting love from a neighbor is just as important as giving love. Both require humility and love of God.
Though this is a story of military personnel who are trained to help each other during challenging periods, the principles are applicable to all at work, at school and in one’s neighborhood. Look around at those to whom you give and volunteer a helping hand to then ask if you are permitting them to give of themselves to you. Resolve to permit them to help you in humility and gladness as Christ would desire. And with humble gratefulness, peace and joy respond, “Yes, thank you. I accept, “when they offer a charitable hand your way.
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