Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Willingness (02/21/05)
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TITLE: "I'm Gonna Help!" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Billy George
02/26/05 -
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I leaned against the door facing, watching silently, memories of countless times I’d heard those words from my own children too long ago. I watched the grandfather, anticipating his reaction. Perhaps, “If you really want to help me, go away” or “Poppa doesn’t need any help. You go play in the other room.”
“Okay,” was Poppa’s instant reply . “ Go find your stool.”
That was a surprise, I thought, as Allie ran down the hallway to fetch the step stool he used to wash his hands in the lavatory. Upon his return he placed the stool beside his Poppa and climbed up to assist in the labor at hand.
Busy little hands moved constantly, flashing from utensil to glass to pot to pan, doing so much and accomplishing so little. Allie would go through the motions of washing something then hand it to Poppa who would wash it again, as discreetly as possible, before placing it in its proper place, and always with the words, “Good job!’ Occasionally Allie would attempt to put the round cake pan in the square cake pan hole. Poppa would gently inform him of his error and point out the proper direction. Then Allie would strain his enthusiastic little body trying to lift a fryer that was too heavy for him and Poppa would try to lend a hand, usually getting the stubborn response, “No! I can do it! Let me do it!” Poppa would then meet the challenge of having to help without his help being noticed.
I watched and waited for Poppa to lose patience and banish Allie from the kitchen but the moment never came. Even though the task would have been finished in quicker time, performed more efficiently and finished with better quality if performed by Poppa alone he was a pillar of patience and nurturing as he gently corrected, tirelessly instructed and, when needed, lovingly rebuked his beloved grandson until every dish was clean. Then, the task finished, Poppa took no credit himself but gloated over Allie, praising him for his efforts.
I do believe that while standing there in the doorway watching so mundane a thing as dish washing I caught a little glimpse of God. How many times, I wondered, have I found Him busily at work and came running with my stool, not asking permission or commission, but simply announcing, “I’m gonna help you, Poppa!” Then He in his amazing grace, in his endless patience stood beside me as my busy hands moved in futile flashes from one phase of the task to another, never being still, and accomplishing so little, my eyes not noticing as He washed away the crumbs I’d missed, my mind not aware of the times He helped lift the burden I insisted on carrying, my zeal not recognizing that it is always He who makes the pieces fit. All along the way He gave me grace and patience and instruction and loving rebuke, when needed. Always He gave me love and encouragement to stay with the task in spite of my miscues. Then, the work finished, He rewarded me for what He did.
Perhaps I will try to be just a bit more like Allie. Just maybe I won’t concern myself so much with gifting and qualification. Just maybe I’ll try to recognize a need, grab my stool and say, “I’m gonna help you, Poppa!” and then watch and see what wonders He can perform!
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