My friend Sharon Westbrook being comforted by members of the Pinnacle Book Club.

Without Expectation

Members of our book club were streaming into my house. There were smiles all around as each member was fill with anticipation. Yet, over to one side of the room, just outside the floating island kitchen, there was a tender moment occurring.

Such tender moments are not often shared in group settings. Perhaps they are not shared more often because many of us labor under the assumption that our most vulnerable moments may become an indication of a potential indifference by others, acting as an usher toward our own irrelevance. Yet, this was not the case with Sharon’s exposure to fellow club members, attending our monthly symposium, as her worry was more grievous than any other potential fear she may have been feeling at the time.

Fear is sometimes displayed through shimmering eyes, just before internal thunder rumbles enough to cause a face to turn into a weeping grotto. Such was the case for Sharon. She was in distress, related to her dear sister’s health and life. Her angst was dripping for all to see and feel. And, club members responded with embraced caring.

Later Sharon expressed, “When I told my sister about you she was so touched! She said, ‘they don’t even know me, and are praying for me!!!’”

A couple of weeks after our monthly meeting, Sharon shared a message proclaiming that her sister had told her that her doctor had been observing her that day and was possibly going to release her to the rehabilitation facility the next day.

“She got so much better yesterday and today! I can’t thank you all enough. You’ve really warmed my heart. She is still frail and weak. Yet, she is continuing to build her strength,” Sharon shared.

Sharing, reaching out to others around you during struggles is an opportunity. It allows one’s fears to disburse; to be shouldered by loved-ones who yearn to put their own strength and talent to use in a beneficial, direct way. Such was demonstrated to me, for the second time in two weeks, just two days ago, when I risked potential indifference and irrelevance by reaching out to another friend, Stephanie Davis.

In response, Stephanie’s face brightened as she strongly stated, “I can help you with that.”

I had no doubt. No doubt about her ability. No doubt about the evidence of her caring kindness.

Fear is sometimes displayed through shimmering eyes, just before internal thunder rumbles enough to cause a face to turn into a hollow of hopelessness. But, when I saw and heard Stephanie’s response to my ask for help, my fear simply dripped through the bottom of despair’s infinity. Because, as was the instance with Sharon, the help was offered without expectation.

The givers simply gave. Givers give without expectation of recompense. They give as supporting, caring friends. 

Such tender, giving moments are not often shared in personal or group settings. Perhaps they are not shared more often because many of us labor under the assumption that our most vulnerable moments may become an indication of potential indifference by others, acting as an usher toward our own irrelevance. Yet.

Giving to others without expectation always transforms fear into a tender, rejoicing moment.

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