probably close to a year ago, i was driving down blackstone in fresno. i dont really remember what i was doing there, i was on my way back to camp after being home i think. i stopped at a stop light, i dont remwember what cross street i was on, but i remember watching a disabled lady slowly walking across the street carying some things in her arms. i watched as the light turned from red to green and she was still crossing. cars started to drive past her despite her still being in the cross walk. suddenly she dropped everything tht was in her arms. papers were flying and there was stuff all over the crosswalk. i was behind about three cars watching the whole scene, wondering if i should get out and help. would that have been safe? would i have enough time? how long would it take her to pick up her things? would she be done by the time i got out and walked over there? thoughts flew through my head, the whole time i watched her struggle to retrieve her things from the crosswalk as cars slowly passed her by. and then, out of the car in front of me, a young overweight hispanic lady, dressed like a gangster, got out of the passenger side of a car and went to help the lady in the crosswalk. she helped her pick up her things and lovingly lead the lady back to the curb. nearby drivers were hionking and still flying by as the gangster lady got back in the car and the light turned red again, keeping us stuck there for another 60 seconds or so.

i still think about that all the time. sometimes i am ashamed of myself for not being the one to get out and help. other times i think it really wouldnt of been safe for me to get out and help, leaving my car alone running in fresno, even if just for a short while. the thing i like to think about the most though, of that whole situation, is the lady who actually did get out and help. i think she had guts. she had heart. she cared.

i want to love other people. that hispanic lady was an example to me. i want to love others like she loved the disabled lady struggling to get across the crosswalk. i want to use the gifts that God has given me to bless others.

i fall short a lot. im sick of it. im sick and tired of falling short.

but Christ offers us grace. and forgivness. and i claim that. and starting now, i will strive to truly, deeply, love others.