"You Want to do WHAT?"

by Dave

I suppose all of us have a day or days when the events and happenings of that day are "flash frozen" in our memories. I woke up to such a day once. It had been an unusually cold and snowy winter in Washington, DC, and that day was no exception. The temperature stood at 8 degrees, and snow was forecast as well.

"I should have just stayed home" I mumbled to myself as I stood shivering in the cold while waiting for the bus to take me to church. Not having a car, I was dependent on public transportation to get me around. I had developed a proverb which seemed all too true at times:

A bus waited for never comes.

Well, the bus did come, I went to church, and was now back to where I lived at the time. And...then the snow started - at first in "timid sallies," then steadier, and heavier...and heavier... and heavier. By early evening, it was a full throttle raging storm. I remember being grateful to be inside and not have to brave the elements.

That is, until a knock came on my door. There stood another staff member all bundled up asking me if I would take her for a walk down to the White House. The easy thing would have been to say "no" but I knew the right thing was to say "yes" and it was what the Lord would have wanted me to do. So, I put on my boots, bundled up, and we set out into the storm. It seemed like we had the city to ourselves, as there was no traffic on the streets, and no one was out walking either. We arrived back plastered in snow...but it had been a lot of fun. I can't remember for sure, but I may have tossed a few snowballs too.

That lady would eventually move away, but we kept in contact. A number of times she mentioned that that walk in the storm was her favorite memory of living in Washington, DC. Who would have thought? She has now died, but I shudder to think...the hurt I could have caused her had I not gone. Based on this experience, and many others, I have come to see how much it pleases our Heavenly Father when we bring a smile to another...when we put a song in their heart and give them some joy.

It could be something as simple as going for a walk in a snowstorm.

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About the Writer

Dave grew up in beautiful upstate New York and spent nearly 10 years in DC. Now he lives in South Carolina. He is another "your other brother" who believes in the power of encouragement to others (thanks, in part to his experiences) He has been to 49 states and seen the 50th.