Sunday, May 01, 2011

Brick Roads

A strong hand reaches out to steady the elderly man as he stumbles on the sidewalk.  The younger woman, a stranger to the man, helps him into the grocery store, keeping her hand on his elbow until he is settled into a motorized shopping cart.  The encounter brightens the day for both of them.

The sound of a lawnmower brings the great-grandmother to the window to see what is happening in her yard.  A tear forms in her eye as she watches her neighbors mowing and raking her overgrown grass simply because they notice that it needs done.

While raising her boys, a friend of mine instilled in them the joy of doing kindnesses for others.  She told them that when they stepped out of their own worlds to help someone else, that they were building themselves brick roads to heaven.  I have always liked her analogy, picturing those boys building their roads, brick by brick.

It seems that so often we all walk around in our own little bubbles, forgetting to look up and around.  We are, many times, oblivious to the needs of those around us, whether they are people in our worlds or complete strangers we encounter.  I challenge you all this week to open your eyes and help someone out.  Even a small kindness will add one more brick to your road to heaven.

8 comments:

She who must not be named said...

I pave my road one dish in the sink at a time! bahahaha

Brittany said...

i like this.

mtnchild said...

A kindness shared is doubled - a sorrow shared is halved. So very true.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I need to find a few other bulbs besides daffodils, that the deer won't eat - any ideas?
Yvette

Bonnie said...

Your post reminds of of something that happened to me a few weeks ago. I have been trying to put it together to post. You have inspired me. Great post! Hugs! Bonnie

ancient one said...

very timely post... thanks for the reminder.

Adrienne said...

brick by brick - bit by bit - the giver often recieves more than the recipient - thanks for sharing such a great story.

Unknown said...

What a wonderfull post!!!!

Trish said...

Love the brick road analogy. Your writing is inspiring.