One mid-week, the airport terminal was almost empty. Yet there he stood: an older gentleman staring at the TSA check point like a deer in the headlights. Hoping to encourage, without embarrassing him, I said to my wife, “This way, sweetheart?”as I started through the roped off maze. The man followed.
So far so good. But then I overheard him, on the other side, asking an airport employee, “Which one of these is Alliance Airlines?” She brushed him off with a polite, “Gee, I don’t know.” So he shuffled over to a service corridor, head down, fixated on his boarding pass.
It was time to come along side. “Sir, I don’t work here, but may I help you?” “Sure!” he exclaimed, handing me the crumpled up paper. I couldn’t make sense of it either. “Let’s check an overhead monitor,” I offered, as we walked together across the concourse. He quickly found Phoenix under “Departures.” “It’s gate H4,” he said, almost gleefully.
We went with him—just to make sure. “Yep, this is it,” I confirmed. “Someone will be here at the counter soon.” The man thanked us as we parted ways.
Walking down to gate H12, in the opposite direction, God reminded me how far from my comfort zone I’d felt during our trip. A family emergency had called us several states away at moment’s notice. Yet at every twist and turn the Lord used others to help us along the way. Now I was helping someone else. It was like God said, “Ok David, it’s your turn.”
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:2-4 (GNT)
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
PS. This post began as a comment on Matt’s blog, Jesusluvsall, where he shared about helping a young Afghan refugee. He then asked his readers to share a similar experience. Thanks for bringing this one out of me, brother! “Iron sharpens iron.”
Read Matt’s post here
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
41 responses to “Helping Others Find Their Wings”
So sad! I went to my favorite local pharmacy the other day and it was closed too.
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Not open. It is like being under siege lol
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You bet, Matt! I probably wouldn’t have written this post if you hadn’t written yours first. At the least, you jogged my memory when you asked your readers to share a similar experience. I hope you have a blessed rest of your Sunday and a great week at school. Is your favorite coffee shop open again?
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Wonderful that you were able to be there to help the man. God set that up to help him and to bless you on a difficult journey. Thanks for the mention.
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Thanks, Deborah. I’m glad I was there too. God reminded me that it good to receive help, at times, but also to give it. Blessings!
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We all need a little help from our friends and strangers sometimes. I’m glad you were able to be there for that man to show him a much-needed act of kindness.
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So true. And sometimes the ripples get mixed up together and make waves. I thank you for your input. Blessings!
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Love this. Kindness and compassion always has a ripple effect!
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It helps some that I’m a helper/encourager by nature. But there have been times when I didn’t recognize God given opportunities to minister to others. I’m glad I did this time, and I pray I do next time. Thank you for your comment, Manu. I am grateful for your input. God Bless!
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Your story is a good reminder that however busy or preoccupied we might be with what is going on in our lives, we are to never forget to extend help to someone in need when we would be so grateful to receive help if we were in that position at that time.
Good on you for not just focusing on what going on in your life but looking outward and seeing where God places you so you could help.
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Yes, it’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed in airports. You’re a good Christian David. Thanks 🙏
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I thought about that too, Beth. This man was someone’s father, and probably grandfather too. I’m glad God put in his path. Thanks for reading and commenting. Cooper the Schnauzer said, “yip, yip!” (hello). 🐾
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David, as I read your story, I had to wonder if this gentleman had a family member praying for him as he was venturing out on this trip and you were an answer to that prayer.
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Yes, indeed, we do, Signora! Thank you for reading and commenting. God’s best to you.
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We need to keep our eyes and ears open more! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes sir, it is. And, as God so aptly reminded me, this two way street need never close. Thanks, Bruce. Blessings to you and yours, as well!
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Excellent post David! Accommodation is indeed a two way street. Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
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Me too! And it makes for a good memory. Helping others, in God’s love, is a real pick me up.
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Hello, Gary. Thanks for sharing. There aren’t many folks left like Doyle Fultz or Glen Duncan (my dad)–men who look out for others, no matter how frank they must be. I always appreciate your “two cents worth.” It often ends up being a nickel to me, once I think about it. Blessings!
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I love God nudges! Those are the best when we follow through, and makes the truth of it is better to give shine brightly in us.
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You’re welcome. It was only after the fact that I realized I was paying it forward by helping this man. Maybe being out of my own comfort zone helped me sympathize even more with his plight? Sometimes folks just need a nudge in the right direction. Later, I realized, the older gentleman was probably someone’s father and grandfather. My wife and I simply did what his own children would have done–helped him in his confusion. Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate the discussion! God Bless.
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How true, Pastor Pete. We got to the airport plenty early and it wasn’t crowded. Thankfully, there was plenty of time to help the older gentleman and find our own gate too. Of course, God knew about this divine appointment before we did. He had already made the arrangements! It was a great reminder to spread some heavenly helpful kindness around–not let it stop with me. Blessings!
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Because of you, this story is the wind beneath my wings to play if forward. Thanks again brother for what you do here!
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It was indeed a divine opportunity, brother. And, like I said, it came at a time when I was a little stressed myself. But that was ok, because it was God who did the work–my wife and I were just His hands and feet. May Christ’s blessings be with the Kearn’s clan.🏴
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I don’t fly much, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed in an airport. Everyone is laser-focused on getting where they’re going, so it’s easy to overlook someone in need. Thankfully, God prompted me to help a gentleman who was a little confused. I’m glad I listened to His voice. You’ve dedicated your life to helping others. God’s best to you and yours!
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I am always grateful for your thoughts, Betty. It does feel good to help others. And, who knows, we may be the next person who needs help. I hope you and Dan have a wonderful weekend!
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Thank you for sharing a great scripture verse to go along with this post, G.W. I appreciate your stopping by today. Blessings to you as well!
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You’re welcome, BG. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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I love stories where someone’s radar is in tune to others around them, even in uncomfortale situations. Great story David.
I remember as a kid watching my father tap someone on the shoulder at a restaurant and saying”do this”. He made a motion of wiping the corner of his mouth. The man did…saw the back of his hand, grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouyh again saying “oh thankyou sir”. As we walked away he was bawling out the rest of the prim and proper for not being friends enough to say “two words”. A
total stranger was more his friend then colleagues.
I do admit to being embarrased with dads two words when he saw a man in public (lots of embarrased people around) with his zipper down. A mouthed thankyou again.
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Wonderful story David. Isn’t it just like our Lord Jesus to teach us the best lessons when we are farthest from our comfort zone. Like the A-team I love it when my plan comes together but God seems to love it more when he messes up my neat schedule with unexpected challenges. God bless!
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God works through People and God has been working through you my Friend. Reading your story is hope that random kindness still exist in a world full of selfishness and impatience. At work no matter busy or stressed out, I try to be kind and helpful to all patients, even to staff who are difficult to go along with, doing the extra not just because it’s the right thing to do, but my way of thanking God for all the help whether straight from him or others. Pay forward through generous work is more relevant and needed today more than ever. Have a great weekend David. God bless always.
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A good post illustrating a valuable point: that God guides our steps and often puts us in a place to serve Him by helping others. How important it is to have ourselves attuned to His Spirit working through us for such opportunities.
Thank you for this timely reminder brother, may our Father God continue to guide and bless your steps this weekend brother.
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Nice story, David. Your story is a good reminder to be grateful when we are helped and to be helpful to others. We just have to take a moment to notice what is going on outside of ourselves.
Once when we were camping, I noticed an older gentleman walking back and forth by our campsite. He was carrying some things as if he had come out of the shower. I asked him if we could help him. He was a bit perplexed, a bit upset; he couldn’t find his campsite. Like many campground showers, there are two entrances/exits, and he had simply gone out the opposite one he had gone in. My brother-in-law quickly offered to drive him around the campground, so he could find his site. The man was camping with his daughter and family. Driving him around wasn’t necessary, but Larry’s quick offer reminded me of what a kind person he is. We assisted the man back to his site and assured him it was a common mistake. The thing is, when we do help others, it makes us feel so good. Thanks for another uplifting post!
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Amen, David!
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” A good man helped a man in need that day.
May we all be reminded by your words here. Blessings, brother!
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Just a simple act of kindness is a milestone for others! Thanks for sharing this!
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Thanks for sharing brother. It’s great when God gets our attention, slowing us down long enough to help someone in need. We all get this way sometimes. Who knows, you and I may need help next. It’s encouraging to hear how God used you to help a fellow traveler who couldn’t necessarily help herself.
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We were on our way back from a trip where I had purchased the basic economy tickets. They sat us on the back row by the bathrooms. We were the last to deplane. My wife went ahead while I grabbed my bag. She stopped about halfway up. There was a tiny, old lady sitting in a seat by the window who didn’t speak English. She said she was waiting for a wheelchair to come get her and she wanted off the plane. We motioned to the attendants that there was a lady in the seat. They called for the wheelchair and asked us to deplane. We told the lady we would wait for her. We waited at the gate until a wheelchair showed up. It took 30 minutes. We were not going to leave until this lady was safely off the plane. It was nearly midnight, the airport was empty and we wanted to make sure she wasn’t forgotten. We walked with the crew all the way to the baggage claim (we didn’t have bags) just to make sure. We could have been home and in bed by then, but felt like God needed us to stay with this woman.
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Thank you, Bridget! Yes, it felt like God put the gentleman in our path for a reason. We were able to come along side, just like God (using others) had done for us. Extending grace to others, especially the heavenly kind, should be like a song that never ends. God’s best to you.
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Truth, Barb! Thank you.
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Yes, interacting in this blogiverse makes each of us better.
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Thank you for sharing this encouragement. It kind of reminds me of the parable where one servant’s debts were forgiven. Yet he did not forget his fellow servant’s debts in return. Let us remember that sometimes grace and mercy are extended to us, and then in turn we also need to extend grace and mercy. We are called to help one another, and shine the light and love of Jesus. Blessings, my friend!
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