This morning we had a deluge with thunder and lightning. Posts on Facebook from friends in the area ranged from 4.5 to 10.5 inches of rain over night. It all quieted down about 06:30 and by 08:00 a group of wonderful people assembled in a neighboring city to scrape and paint a house. The ground was a bit soggy but big ol’ Mr. Sunshine was already at work.
“Hearts and Hammers” is a program which our church partners with on various home repair projects. We had a group of about 15 to do the tasks required. We set about armed with the necessary scrappers, wire brushes and ladders. Within a few hours we traded scrapers for paint brushes, rollers and trays of yellow paint.
Lunch time arrived with sandwiches, chips, water and cookies. A break from the job was welcome. A breeze had picked up drying both the mud and the new color. As we ate a dump truck stopped and a man asked to purchase some of our tools. He was thinking we were having a yard sale. He was disappointed and left.
Returning to the house we would occasionally step back and look at how much brighter the new color was making the house. Now for a lime green trim color. Several of our painters questioned the shade and wondered if it would dry darker. Our homeowner was satisfied.
As the last touches were applied it was obvious that those who had not surrendered early were weary from the activity. Well done friends. A gift to a stranger in the form of a day of labor. What a good feeling.
We humans have needs from time to time which they cannot overcome. How are you doing today? Do you have some troubles which are overwhelming? Take a vacation from it. Find someone with a problem that you can fix. It may not solve your difficulty yet it will for a short time and allow a fresh take of your situation.
There is some new science presented in an ebook, “Your Brain and Business: The Neuroscience of Great Leaders,” by Srinivasan S. Pillay which shows that worry seems to affect our ability to think through our woes. I think we already suspected this to be true. Ancient writers also document wisdom for dealing saying that we should not worry. Focus on aiding another and you may find the cure you need.
ST2
Here am I, send me... 
When I am down and out, I find somebody in need of help and that helps me feel better…
To help someone is amazing therapy for the mind and soul. It give us a real connection to others and to our self. I believe this is why God put so many of us here, that we might serve one another.
Thank you for sharing.
A fellow in arms you are…I have always known we can not recieve until we give.. just how this thing called life works.. I love that you all banded together to make someone’s home that much more beautiful..I too do a great deal of giving and at the end of the day I feel pretty darn good..
Nice to meet ya
lynne
Thank you for your visit. I enjoyed reading a few of your posts and particularly the “Monday Indie Movie Picks.” I do not watch much in the way of movies or television yet I intend to watch a couple you have highlighted.
ST2