I went down and staked our place on the sand, then returned to help Mark out to the beach. As he was getting ready, I stepped onto the balcony to see a couple placing their chairs just a few feet from our place. I told Mark that there was a couple who had placed their chairs close to ours and that I was a little disappointed that they were so close. They obviously didn’t know the beach rule of not coming within fifty feet of anyone else!
We drove a few feet from our building to a long wooden walkway and at the end was a short stretch of sand Mark would have to maneuver in order to get to our spot on the beach. I pulled the car close to the walkway and helped him out; he stood holding onto his walker until I got the car parked. We began our way down the slope to the beach. He did well on the walkway, but the sand was a struggle for him. I held as tightly as I could, attempting to assist him through the sand to our chairs. As we approached the beach, the wife of the couple who had invaded our space noticed our struggle and asked her husband to help us. He glanced over his shoulder, noticed the difficulty we were having and came to help us. He took Mark’s right arm, and together, we got him through the sand and seated in the chair. Mark and I thanked him, as he was returning to his chair; he offered to help once when we were ready to leave.
We settled in, and for an hour and a half we talked, watched the waves, read, and listened to music. The man, who had helped us, got up out of his chair and walked past us to throw a drink can away. As he was returning to his chair, Mark said, “We’re ready to go.” I looked at him as if to say, “What? Who’s ready to go? I was just beginning to relax and now Mark was ready to leave. It was just like him; there was little warning. Over the years, when he was ready to go, he was ready to go – so we went!
The man, George, asked me if we were ready to go, and sensing that Mark wanted to get off the beach, I told him we were. He helped lift Mark out of the chair, and for fifteen minutes, George and I helped Mark across the sand and up to the walkway. We were all sweating profusely; it was hot, and a struggle for Mark to get through the sand. Once he was on the walkway, Denise, George’s wife, asked him to go back to the beach and get our things together. She stayed with us as we made our way slowly down the walkway. Mark was exhausted and could barely place one foot in front of the other. I was grateful for their help. She sat with Mark on a bench that was attached to the walkway, as I moved the car up close.
Denise helped get him into the car, and as she and I walked back toward the beach, to retrieve our things, we talked about Mark’s condition. I explained the diagnosis and the effects of the condition. By the time we arrived to our spot on the beach, George had the umbrella down, the chairs folded, and our bag packed. As I was leaving, I thanked them for all their help. They assured me that it was no trouble, and then told me where their condo was located and said that they came out every afternoon, and if we needed any help, just to let them know.
You can well imagine that by this time I was greatly convicted about my attitude toward the couple who had invaded our beach space. As I left, I was seeing George and Denise in a different light; I saw them as a timely gift from the Lord. I couldn’t have gotten Mark off the beach, down the walkway, and into the car without their help. God knew what we were going to need that day and He provided. I am glad God doesn’t abide by the fifty foot rule!
We didn’t see George or Denise the rest of the week. Somehow, I felt as if they were angelic beings sent to help us. God has “helpers” and for that, Mark and I are thankful!
Father, how quick I am to have my feathers ruffled when my plans don’t go my way or my space gets invaded. How quick I am to judge and find fault. Forgive me! Help me to be flexible. Help me to look for opportunities to bless others. Thank you for Your legion of “helpers,” those angelic beings who are always ready at your beck and call! May I be accepting of the help You send and grateful for it.
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11
“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen! Psalm 72:18-19
dianne