Helping Hands

Over the last year or more I have seen posts on my facebook page for this community function or that where the money is going to help someone in the community that is dealing with a hardship, usually cancer. I have to say that I admire how the community gathers around its people and how others are so willing to assist in the little ways they are able.
Sometimes though I wonder if the money isn't the easiest part to give. I know the need for it is there as there are bills that need to be paid. But I wonder about the emotional needs that are there as well. What about going to the home of the young mother who has found out she is fighting cancer for the 2nd time and asking to have her kids for the afternoon so that the mother can have a rest? What about bringing over a favorite meal for the family to eat so they don't have to worry about cooking that night? How about the mother of three that has two children with disabilities and no help from the children's father because he is a deadbeat? How do we help her out?
I wonder sometimes if people don't offer the spiritual and emotional assistance because they just don't know what they can do to help or if they are worried it will be taken wrong. Sometimes for those of us that grew up on the Island it is a matter of being given the opportunity to gather stregnth just from breathing the salt air of the ocean and feeling the sand between our toes because someone has given us 2 hours alone. Sometimes it is helping that single mother by just sitting and letting her talk or cry or rant.
Many times the prayers of "prayer warriors" is all that can be offered. Sometimes we think that isn't enough for us to give. Trust me when I say that God hears those prayers and is working in His time to make things go according to His plan. It isn't always easy to rest and wait for His timing. It isn't always easy to understand why the sickness isn't healed right away or why He takes someone back unto Heaven when we would rather keep them here. It is easy to rail against the inequity of it all.
I find though that our needs get met in many small ways and sometimes big ones. We as a community need to look for the means and ways to help. And we as the recipients of the "helping hands" need to appreciate the ways people try to help us out and Count our Blessings even when they seem so small.