Rush Hour Dust Bunnies

Rush, Rush,. Rush.....


This summer one of my jobs is to help an elderly friend of mine clean her house and get some things organized that she has been wanting to.  Yesterday during one of my "rush" sessions I was helping her organize some things in her bathroom.  While my mind was busy wondering if I would make it to my next "rush" session on time....I heard her say something that really struck a chord in my heart.  "Melissa, you don't know how much I appreciate what you're doing for me.  I wish I could do it myself, but I am thankful for you to be here with me and helping." Screeeech.  My mind came to an immediate stop.  For the first time that day I stopped and took in the environment I was in.  I sat on the floor covered in dust and self absorption.  My mind had been focused on what MY agenda entailed while I failed to realize that this woman sitting next to me was enduring emotional pain.  In that moment I stopped to listen, really listen.....

As we threw out cleaning supplies from who knows when, I realized that we sat there looking at memories covered in dust.  My friend was thankful for the dusty trip down memory lane.  As I picked up a magnetic dirt remover and wiped away the dust she told me how her late husband was always into the latest cleaning gadget or product.  She told me to throw it away because she'd never use it these days.  Next came the 3 different types of shoe polish she used to use to shine her husband's shoes.  I could see the sadness as she directed the shoe polish to the garbage.  It was dried up and no good...but it was still a memory she held dear.  It may have taken a little longer to get the job done, but sitting there and listening to her was much more important than getting the things done that I thought I needed to get done.  

When we finished cleaning under the bathroom sink I packed up my things and was onto the next thing.  But I realized something during those moments.  I need to stop rushing.  I am a chronic rusher.  Just ask my family.  I have a hard time sitting still without doing something else.  I want to be fully in moments because moments become memories.  I am thankful for yesterday's rush hour dust bunnies because God used them to teach me a lesson.  Some day I want to be sitting beside someone sharing my memories that might be covered in dust and be thankful that I didn't just rush through life.