"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
- John Wooden
America is getting older. Social Security faces a crisis. Many people are wondering what they can do when their work life ends. Neva Marie Mabbott offers some heart-warming thoughts:
"When surgery loomed on my personal horizon, one of my concerns was financial. As a widow living on Social Security and with what I made working three hours a day in a Montessori playground and nap room, I could ill afford to take a month off for recuperation. Fortunately, that worry was nipped in the bud by a call from another widow from my church. “Neva? This is Madeleine. I just called your boss and made arrangements to keep you on the payroll in December while I work in your place.” “But I can't let you do that,” Ms. Mabbott said, but Madeleine said, “Now, now, it's all arranged. I've done this kind of work in my home and I'll come in a couple of days before you go to the hospital to learn your routine. Besides, I want you to rest, not worry about a loss of income.”
"My thanks barely made it past the large lump in my throat. December brought rest, reading, and writing time. It was the most beautiful Advent and Christmas of my life. Madeleine is surely a wonderful example of a sacrificial giver."
There's nothing that will make you feel better than doing something for someone else. You might not be able to take a month off, but you could babysit for a young mother with errands to run but no money for a babysitter. You could spend an hour in a nursing home, loving, talking and listening to those who are there. You could deliver a few "Meals on Wheels," or help at the Salvation Army as they serve the underprivileged. Try it, and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator. He authored 33 books and produced numerous life-changing programs. He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.