The Miracle of Service

The Miracle of Service

‘Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.’ (Galatians 6:2) How do we bear one another's burdens? We do so by willing to serve one another. A life of service, to me, is the epitome of our existence. We are here to help and edify one another in our Creator’s (Heavenly Father’s) behalf. Oh sure, He is quite capable of taking care of everyone, but He will not deprive us of our potential for growth. Whenever we serve unselfishly, our hearts are endowed with greater love and the desire to do more. Thus, helping our ‘brother’ carry his burden becomes a joy.

It has been my good fortune to have been gifted with opportunities to help others since I dedicated myself to service. The following story is an example of the miracle of service. It happened in a Nothern Manitoba Indian reservation in the summer of 1992.

As we had done in the previous two summers, my husband, Charles, my children and I returned to a reserve in northern Manitoba for a six-week vacation in 1992. Near the end of our holidays, Charles and I became well acquainted with another couple, Matt and Rose. Before long, they invited us out for a fishing trip.

It was a beautiful late afternoon when our new friends picked us up by boat and took us through a breathtaking spectacle to Bloodstone Falls. How beautiful was the land with its grand rocky terrain, hills, lakes and falls! While Charles and Matt fished for five hours, Rose and I sat and chatted under the nurturing canopy of Mother Earth. As we spoke, it became obvious that we had much in common, especially in matters of the heart and spirit. The warmth of her unfolding friendship was nurturing, and I relished in it. Moreover, bathing myself within the rich beauty and tranquillity of nature brought me much peace and happiness.

In next to no time, it seemed, the sun was setting, and we needed to get back to the reserve. Following a long chilly boat ride, I was heartened to see the shoreline come into view. I could hardly wait to get into bed to ward off the night chill, which had so blatantly enveloped itself around me. It was past midnight when we finally walked into my aunt and uncle’s home atop a steep hill from shore. Tired and cold, we quickly went to bed for what I thought would be a nice long sleep.

Early the next morning, I awoke with a startling sense of urgency. “Go to Rose. Now!” The prompting was unmistakable. Immediately, I told Charles, “We have to go to Rose's.”

“Okay, I’ll go upstairs and make breakfast,” he replied.

“No! We have to go now!” I protested while quickly dressing.

Without bothering to fix my hair or wash up, I was out the door. Charles followed right behind. We soon reached our destination and rang the doorbell.

“Answer the door!” Rose's faint voice was barely audible.

One of her sons opened the door and quickly directed me to his mother’s bedroom. She was sitting on her bed crying.

“What’s the matter?” I asked as I sat down beside her.

“I have just been on my knees praying to Jesus to send someone who can help me.” She wiped her eyes and was quiet for a while before continuing, “When I stood up and looked out the window, I saw you coming down the path and you looked like angels.”

"What's troubling you?" was all I could express.

For the next hour, I listened while she shared her sacred experiences and visions. Feeling honored by her trust, an overwhelming sense of pure love graced my heart, and I embraced her. Later, as I was leaving, I encouraged her to contact me should she need to talk again. She walked us to the door and thanked me for showing up when I did.

On our way to the main road, I sensed it was not yet time to go home. Rather, we were to go toward my great-uncle Herman’s house, nearly two kilometers away. En route, we stopped at the reserve’s lone restaurant for breakfast.

Famished, we savored a hearty breakfast, and without knowing why, I tried to prolong our stay. By and by, however, we gave up our table for the other diners, who were anxiously waiting by the entrance. After Charles paid our bill, we slowly continued towards our destination.

As we approached a hill whereon is located a cemetery, I again felt impressed to stall for more time. Neither of us had brought our watches, and we were unaware of the exact time. Thus, I needed to trust my instincts as to when we could go on. I informed my husband I wanted to go up the hill to ‘visit’ with my family for a while. In the hour we were there, I went from one grave to the next, pulling out weeds and picking out debris and garbage. At last, the sense to continue prompted us onward.

When we came around the curve of the road adjacent to the lake, I immediately looked into the distance for my uncle’s house on another hill. I was unable to see it. This puzzled me somewhat, but we continued on. As we got closer, however, the house definitely was not there.

“I just can’t believe this! It was there only a couple of days ago!” I was utterly perplexed. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

"Can you see a white house with the front door facing us?" I asked Charles. Maybe he would be more rational.

"No, I don't see it."

Momentarily, I was impressed upon to knock on the door of the house to our left. Quickly, I tried to brush the thought aside. This was the home to certain drunkards and abusers I had disliked during my childhood. No way was I going to approach it. Even so, the impression persisted. The more I resisted, the stronger and more incessant it became. Consequently, and despite my apprehensions, I relented. Fighting against a bundle of nerves, I walked over to the house and knocked on its door.

Upon hearing the faint welcome of a woman within, Charles and I entered and followed her beckoning voice into the living room. To my great astonishment, the woman was none other than one of my cousins, someone I thought was still in Winnipeg. She was laid up on the couch and seemed relieved to see us. At once, I asked her what had happened to Herman’s house. She replied it was still there.

“No, it isn’t,” Charles and I countered, almost in unison. Following a brief argument, we dropped the subject.

"Weren’t you supposed to be in Winnipeg?” I was curious to know what she was doing here. To my question, she began to disclose her predicament.

Apparently her leg was broken, and she was having a difficult time trying to care for her two small children, a four year-old girl and a baby boy, who was bouncing on a jolly jumper. Unable to do much, she basically remained on the sofa and relied on her daughter to do small errands.

“I’m so happy that you came. I’ve been feeling lonely and depressed, and I needed someone to help me.” Her remarks caused the accumulating tears to overflow and stream down my face.

“I’m glad to be here for you.” Soul-deep compassion gripped every crevice of my heart.

Charles and I then proceeded to do whatever she needed done, after which we visited with her for a while. When the time to leave came, I gave her a hug and a kiss, whereupon she thanked us profusely for coming. In my heart and mind, however, I felt that the expression of gratitude rightfully belong to God for having guided us to her. As we walked towards the door, I shot her one last tender smile. Soon, we were outside.

Charles and I were about to return home when, purely out of curiosity, I looked towards the hill whereon ‘once stood` Herman’s house. Lo and behold! There it was, big as life itself!

“Do you see that? I can’t believe it!” Of course he saw it too. I was in shock and awe. The entire incident seemed to be almost too much to bear. Though perplexed and shocked, I felt exhilarated, grateful, and deeply humbled for having been blessed with such an astounding, albeit tender, experience. It was during this period of time that I truly came to fully comprehend and appreciate what it meant to have given my life to serving others.

Willing to heed the ‘call’ not only gifted me with miraculous experiences, but it also graced my heart with deeper compassion and gratitude. Moreover, I learned no matter where life took me, our Father’s infinite love and concern for all His children are ever present, whether it be in our own neighbourhoods, other cities and towns, or the farthest reaches of the world.

Thus, it becomes our privilege to heed His call, for in doing so, we are following in the footsteps of the Master Exemplar Himself, Jesus Christ, who taught us to bear one another's burdens. As we help others, our hearts expand with greater humanity, connecting us to the divine. Life becomes more meaningful and fulfilling. Therein lies the miracle of service.