Monday, December 5, 2016

LIGHT the World

This morning when I was saying my morning prayers and sorta thinking what kind of service I would do today my neighbor's name popped into my head.  Day 5 was supposed to be helping someone who is ill.  His name is Bill and I haven't seen him in a while.  I check on him every so often and maybe bring some treats but not enough and definitely not as much as if I was my sister, LINDSEY, who is neighbor extraordinaire.

Anyway, his wife had a stroke last year and is in the hospital and his health is poor as well, but when he was healthy he was always talking with us over the fence (ala Home Improvement) and loaning us tools and super friendly nice guy.  I really didn't know if he was still sick or not, but knew his wife is still in the hospital.   Years ago he invited us to watch him sing in his church and I couldn't go (or maybe couldn't figure out how I would wrangle all our small children at the time for more church I can't remember) and I have deep regrets about that because I thought there would be another time but there wasn't.

Anyway, back to this morning.  So I thought I will do dinner.  Who doesn't like dinner?

Okay, so like a normal Monday it was super busy, and I got lots done but not as much as I wanted to of course.  Kids got home, started making dinner.  Nobody really would help me cause sometimes kids are like that but they were playing especially great together so I was fine on my own.

I was having to hurry cause it was getting late but 6 p.m. BAM.  Homemade rolls and soup along with cookies I remembered I had in the freezer.

"Kids hurry get shoes on we are going to bring dinner to Bill!"

Insert some whining about shoes, lots of whys and some kids that were good and hurried.

"And grab a Santa hat!"

You can probably guess who didn't grab a Santa hat.

Luke asks what are we doing?  "Something you will probably hate but just go with it"
And bless that boy he did!

Anyway, hurry over there with crazy shoes on and right before Bill answers the door we decide to sing "Deck the Halls".

Bill had already eaten (darn!) but still gave him the food.  And then he invited us in.  and we said yes.

We sat down in his beautiful cozy home that had been obviously decorated by his wife and had a chat.

And that Bill mentioned at least 3 times how much he loved our company, how he doesn't get many visitors.  When I asked about if he has been able to go to church, he said no, and didn't understand why the people from his church haven't called him since he hasn't been coming and how there (I'm sure the people at his church are good wonderful people) should be a program to contact people who became ill and couldn't come. I was silently blessing the visiting teaching and home teaching program at our church even though I know it is not perfect either.  We talked about the kids ages and then where all his grown boys lived and he showed me pictures of his great grand kids who live in our neighborhood and he doesn't get to see.  And about football of course!  He said his son was a star at Canyon and Bill used to coach pop warner.  I asked if he swore like Luke's coaches did and he said nope but thats because he doesn't swear...ever.  And the said his dad used to constantly say the dirtiest, filthiest things constantly and he decided to be the opposite.  And then how he doesn't get to visit his wife who now doesn't recognize him very much because he isn't driving much and its too far.  The kids were super amazing and petted the dog Lucy who is Bill's companion and friend (and also  barks like a maniac when they scooter down the street).  He repeated  himself a little and the kids were patient with him and he showed me Ruth's picture and asked me if I knew her which of course I did.  We left after 15 minutes and him thanking us again for the company and all the kids could feel that that was a very good thing to do.

I of course could barely contain my tears...mostly because while I was making this dinner for Bill I was starting to wonder if I was crazy and what would he think of me or even be home.  Or whats if something had happened to his wife Ruth and I didn't realize it.  Just some normal doubts and worries.  But leaving that house I knew 1000% that it was the Holy Ghost who had whispered Bill's name to me this morning and so grateful that I listened.

We really can light the world with God's help.  Or at least for one special moment.

Bill and Ruth got prayed for in the McCoy house this night with a silent prayer from me not forget them again too and all the others who the spirit whispers to me.

#LighttheWorld

13 comments:

Heather said...

❤️

Beth said...

Love it all!!!!

Lindsey said...

That is so neat!!! What a great thing you did!! And God loves your neighbor Bill! How special He sent you over to visit him.

Laurie Nguyen said...

You are an inspiration!

brookeisacrazylady said...

No way Laurie just sometimes I actually listen! And it feels such a privledge when you know you are on Gods errand because he loves that person

Unknown said...

Love this! You are awesome even though you think you aren't!

Nancy Jo said...

That is so neat that you did that! I think of my dad and how much he would of loved that. You are awesome! I am so proud of you! Proud of your kids too. Bill will remember that for a long time. xo

Camille said...

I love this Brooke, and I love you!!! I had tears there at the end of your post. What a good woman and mother you are. Thank you so much for sharing this on fb so I could read it :)

Frannie said...

Brooke, You're so great. I love every time I happen to come across one of your posts. They always inspire me, make me laugh and make me cry. You need to join the Time Out for Women tour!!!

Frannie

Claire Thompson said...

I miss your good example:) I always have those doubts too and sometimes give into them but I should know better. Miss you crazy Brooke McCoy!

Jenny said...

I'm sitting at my desk at work blubbering. I hope no one walks in.

Unknown said...

That was really nice of you, Brooke. I wondered where you all were when I got home. I still can't believe none of his family visits him!

brookeisacrazylady said...

He did say he sees his one son regularly thank goodness