Lend a Helping Hand

Monday, April 28th, 2025

Yesterday, I woke up thinking it’d be an ordinary Sunday: church, possibly eat lunch out with family, get a quick workout in, and then come home and enjoy my evening.

It was anything but ordinary, but beautiful in every way. If you know me at all, you know I love helping others any way I possibly can. I got my fair share of doing so yesterday, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The day started helping my mom try to feed a baby kitten (around 2 weeks old) who was fighting for his life, and my mom ended up holding him and doing all she could until he took his final breath. As much as death scares a lot of people, it’s a familiar friend in our family, and we just choose to make the best of those times.

After that, I quickly showered and got dressed for church and sang my heart out with my dad and brother. We had a wonderful service. Testimonies of God’s goodness were given, so many needs were met at the altar, and I left feeling renewed. We all need that, and if you don’t think you do, you’re lying to yourself. 🤣

When church was over, I spoke with as many folks as I possibly could and, as always, ended up talking to Pawpaw. We talk several times a week, but we always have catching up to do, no matter when we see each other. He started stressing to me how his big toe had been killing him and he needed to make an appointment with the doctor and have it seen about. He was limping a little bit, so his pain and discomfort were obvious. I told him to go home and get off that foot, and I’d bring lunch to him instead of us going out.

I stopped by Kroger and got a little lunch for myself, then headed home to pack Pawpaw a sack full of food and take it to him. I got there and we continued to talk of God’s goodness, showing me all the latest updates to his house and yard. To be almost 91, he’s always painting, rearranging, updating gadgets, and whatever else he can find to dabble in. He makes me tired just looking at what all he does. He got settled and I warmed him up a plate of BBQ pork chops, green beans, dressing and gravy, squash and onions, and corn on the cob. He ate every bite and kept thanking me for bringing him the food. I take so much joy in being able to do the little things for anyone, but especially him.

I left Pawpaw’s around 3 p.m. and headed to the gym. I love going to the gym, if for nothing else to put my headphones in and listen to my favorite music and escape the world. It’s nice to find a happy place (no matter where it may be) and escape from all your everyday worries. I can assure you, no matter when you arrive back in reality, they’ll all be there waiting. I spent roughly 45 minutes in my happy place and enjoyed a little “me time”. As I was nearing the end of my workout, my mom calls and lets me know my great uncle who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia a few months ago, was not doing well and we needed to go check on them.

I came back home from the gym, freshened up and we headed down to my Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan’s. I had to make a pit stop by Dairy Queen for an Oreo blizzard to make sure I canceled out any kind of progress I could have potentially made at the gym. 🤣

We arrived and walked into a home that made any kind of problems going on in my world seem to be nothing. We quickly realized we were needed for much more than a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or for saying, “if I can do anything, let me know.” We just started “doing.” My mom started washing dishes, I started drying them and putting them away. My dad had a good conversation with Uncle Mike and helped him do anything he needed. I put on laundry, swept and vacuumed the kitchen, and anything else I saw that needed to be done. My aunt and cousin have a pull plate and are doing all they can to take care of the house, yard, and especially Uncle Mike.

Uncle Mike has always been a jack of all trades kind of man. He was an incredible mechanic, took care of his family, home, and did anything he could for anybody, most of the time without being asked. So to see him in a place where he needs help, it’s a privilege to help. We stayed and helped until we turned the lights out for them to go to bed.

We got home around midnight and for some reason I had a little ounce of energy left, so I cleaned my bathroom, vacuumed, and tidied up just to be able to wake up this morning and start the week “fresh” in every way I possibly could. I turned my lights out at 1:30 a.m. with nothing but gratitude and a tired body.

It’s a gift to be able to lend a helping hand. No matter where you look, someone is hurting. We all need each other. If you’re struggling to find your purpose in life, just look around. YOU are needed. Whether it be a prayer for a friend, taking a pot of chicken and dumplings to someone in need, or just showing up on a doorstep just to give a hug because a phone call didn’t seem to be enough. Life’s problems never stop, but the way we react to them and the way we show Jesus speaks so much about your character. May I never take for granted the gift of being able to help. I challenge you to step up and when you’re needed

cheerfully, “lend a helping hand.”

Always be kind and love like Jesus would.

Much love,

Logan

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭