A Simple Volunteer

January 19, 2012

This morning as the noise left with backpacks and sack lunches, my routine interrupted with me getting ready right away. No, this morning, I didn’t send off the family and then blog away. Instead, I got dressed and left to volunteer.

When you think of volunteering, you visualize saving the planet, sheltering the animals, or helping the poor and needy. But, today, I didn’t do those things.

Well…..

I volunteered today at my local library. I have blogged many times about my beloved library. I love books. I spend most afternoons at a small table in the corner (which I have proudly deemed “my office”). The library has given me such pleasure over the years…… good reads, story time, summer reading programs, and FREE movies.

I thought I should give a little back.

I beebopped down to the library and like a little giddy school girl I could hardly wait until I got there.

I know…… you’re thinking…… bookworm and nerd right about now.

So I got to do the most wonderful thing….. clean the shelves!!

I straightened. I ran my hands across those lovely books. I tugged. I pushed. I even praised God for the knowledge that was at my fingertips. I arranged….. realized I needed to see the eye doctor and then rearranged. ”O” and “Q” got me every time.

Here’s the beautiful part……

As I was in the stacks straightening and cleaning up the messy spots, I got a little judgmental. How dare these books be handled this way? Who could do such a mess? People just don’t care anymore……

Then, I caught myself staring down a dude pulling books out and piling them up everywhere. I had just cleaned up that shelf. How dare he……

Then like a lightning bolt, I heard Matthew 7:1– Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Ugh… last night’s Bible class lesson ran through my memory.

Yes, I just got God thumped right there between the quilting and travel books.

I stood there stunned and shaking my head at myself. Then I just had to smile as God whispered, “You cleaned it up for him to find the book he’s looking for.” That shelf was in shambles before. He found his books and left the shelf neat.

Thank God for the little things we can do to help someone out.

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.

God bless……

Regina