Unaccommodating Restrooms

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. (Proverbs 11: 25 The Message)

Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19: 21 NIV)

            “I can match your pace,” the lady in the wheelchair said as my friend and I walked beside her at the retreat center.

            My steps quickened, and she sped up until we reached the meeting room. We laughed as I tried to keep up with her.

            The next day when she wheeled up to us, the smile was gone.

            “Do you know where there is a restroom?” she asked.

            The wobbly seat in one stall made her afraid of falling. While I took her to a nearby restroom, my friend left to find a maintenance worker. After maneuvering through difficult doors and a narrow doorway, she wasn’t able to use it either.

            “I know another one,” I said.

            We hurried to another building and down a hallway. My hand grasped a locked door.

            She kept saying that it was ok. I knew it wasn’t.

            “Let’s try one more building,” I said.

            A man carrying tools told me he was fixing the problem. With a set of swinging doors, we managed to get her into the last restroom. There was no way she could have gotten through on her own.

            “Thank you so much,” she said.

            “Even though you said it was ok, it wasn’t.”

            On our way back to the meeting room, we talked briefly about her life. Polio put her into a wheelchair as a child. During that same time, I received the new vaccine to prevent the dreaded disease.

            “My husband died four years ago,” she said.

            “Mine died three years ago,” I said.

            Later, I handed her one of my books and briefly explained my story.

            “I want to give you a hug,” she said. “God brought us together.”

            I agreed as I bent down to embrace her. Two widows of a similar age. One with polio and one without. Why was she affected and I wasn’t? Her positive attitude, in spite of her difficulties, inspired me. God knew our encounter would be a blessing for both of us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the encounters you arrange for me. We can bless each other. Amen