new adventures

It seems that in the past month I have somewhat unintentionally tried to not be so selfish. I guess the unselfishness hit me in a weird way- fostering dogs. You truly can learn alot from God's creatures if you will take the time to listen. Okay, so they literally don't speak but their bodies say it all! Today I continued the act of being unselfish. Okay, I admit I did it because I didn't want to be called a wimp. I mean surely it wouldn't be that bad. HA. NOT. A friend at work called me just as I got out of my class and asked if I wanted to go and give blood at the blood drive on campus. I said no way. I am not doing that. I have given blood to myself before surgery, well banked it I guess, in case of an emergency. THen I got to thinking, I don't want to be a wimp so I said, "ok, I will go". Oh my gosh, what was I doing. God gave me blood to keep!! Just like I want to keep my body parts. Then as I walked over and waited my turn I began thinking about all those people out there who are sacrificing SO MUCH for me and you. BLOOD being shed every minute so that I can go to the grocery store without fear, worshop without fear, literally live free. You get the point. Then I thought about the folks who wish they could give blood but NEED my blood to live. But by the Grace of God go I. Yes, I was being stubborn and not wanting to be a wimp so I said I would give but in reality I wish my first thought was "sure I will give blood" without even having a second thought. It was actually NOT a pleasant experience. They couldn't get the vein in my right arm to come to the surface or whatever they call it so they tried the left. well, the left was not wanting to cooperate and the needle came out SO they restuck me. I was not in for this battle but.....there is a child needing my blood. There is a mom needing a blood transfusion. There is a father, just in a serious accident who needs our blood. The nurse said, "can I try the right arm again?" Oh my, I thought. Sure, go ahead. Well, I really was kinda upset that it was looking like I was not a good donor and about that time she called someone over and said "what do you think about this side vein". The nurse agreed that perhaps it would work. Ok, so if you don't know me very well- I HATE HOSPITALS and most anything to do with them. I can handle needles and blood coming out naturally does not bother me but I don't consider myself to have a HIGH pain tolerance and going into the "side vein" HURTS like a mama jama. The nurse said, "this is going to hurt". Well, no duh. Hurt was not the word to describe what I was feeling but I kept thinking about those 3 potential lives I was going to help by experiencing temporary pain and an hour of my day.
I am not tooting my own horn but I have really enjoyed serving others. Regardless of whether it is a homeless, sick dog, someone needing my blood, or helping a friend, it feels good to be able to give back. It is such an awesome feeling.