By Joe Mazzella
I have no idea why some stores make shelves so high that only a professional basketball player can reach them, but they do. I experienced one of them just the other day. I had just picked up some toothpaste and deodorant and was heading to the dog food aisle when I took a short cut through the toy section.
That is when I saw them. A little girl was pointing to the top shelf where the stuffed animal she wanted was. Her Mother was trying to convince her to take one of the similar ones on the lower shelves but the little angel’s heart was set on the one at the top.
Mom was only five foot tall at the most and was about to explain that she just couldn’t reach it. That is when I asked if I could try. Now my vertical leap was never much when I was younger and it has only gotten worse with age, but I jumped up as high as I could, hooked the toy with my finger and caught it on the way down. I handed it to the little girl who cheered and jumped up and down with joy. Her Mom smiled and thanked me and I gave her my warmest, “You’re welcome.”
I noticed something too as I started to walk away. I felt lighter. I felt better. I felt more like my true self. There was a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart. It was just a moment of kindness. It was just a second of love. Yet, it made my day and nourished my soul. For that moment I was who God wanted me to be.
I think the only way to truly receive love in this life is to give it away. The more love you share, the more love you have. The more love you give, the more love you receive. Jesus taught us all to Love God, to Love ourselves, and to Love our neighbors as ourselves. This love can be given too in a thousand different ways, in the littlest acts of kindness, even in rescuing a stuffed animal from the top shelf and putting it in the loving arms of a little girl.
