Just Because

This morning I sat at church with 5 precious women as they worked tirelessly on their jewelry.  We meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12.  Each meeting the women come eager to cut multiple cereal boxes for their jewelry, as well as to turn in completed pieces to be sold.

Today one of our newest members came with several bracelets and necklaces completed.  She has been working with Kouri Deye for a few weeks now, and this was her first time to bring in completed pieces she had done at her house.  The other women were very interested in her work and instantly began picking up her pieces and talking quite quickly with one another about each piece.

I did my best to catch the majority of the conversation.  I heard several, "Pa bon," not good.  I also heard several conversations about the colors chosen and how things could have been done.  As I watched, the expression on the woman's face who came with the jewelry remained calm and complacent as she listened to the discussion taking place around her.

I felt myself become slightly frustrated with the ladies for their many comments.  My perspective changed drastically as I watched the events unfold at the end of the conversation.  I looked around the table and discovered each woman who had commented about one of the pieces of jewelry, was now sitting at the table helping their friend fix her mistakes.

I was BLOWN AWAY.  These ladies were quick to provide guidance for their friend as she embarks on this new direction, yet they were also quick to not leave her alone.  There was no personal gain for these women as they spent the first hour of their morning helping their friend.  The women would have been fine to examine the other woman's jewelry and then move on and work on their own pieces.  Instead, they gave of their time and their skill to help her.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know these ladies.  Oh the blessings that come from doing something for someone...just because.