Marilyn set the timer for the oven and removed her apron. The casseroles would be ready in 45 minutes. One for her family’s dinner, and one for the Thompson family. She made some mental calculations. If she delivered the meal around 5:30, she’d have some time to see their new baby before she needed to feed her own family. That would work. She’d prepped enough salad for both meals and packaged up some of the cookies she’d made earlier in the day. She glanced at the clock. Still enough time to do a little weeding and pick some flowers for their table and Kayla Thompson’s. She headed outside toward the garden.

Marilyn grabbed her gardening tools, crossed the deck, and stepped down the stairs. Her footing faltered and she missed a step. With her hands full, she couldn’t grab the railing, and she came down hard on her hip. Pain exploded through her and she cried out. Her gardening tools went flying. Brian dropped his pruning shears and dashed to her side.

“Are you OK? What hurts?”

Marilyn struggled to focus. Her head grew dizzy and her stomach rolled. She pointed to her hip.

Concern furrowed creases in Brian’s forehead. “Can you move it?”

Marilyn tried to lift her leg, but a fresh wave of pain nearly caused her to lose consciousness. She shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I’m calling 911.” Brian’s voice faded as Marilyn struggled to stay awake. She didn’t have time for this. There was far too much to do. But if she had to go to the hospital…

Fifteen minutes later, two paramedics eased her onto a gurney. She grabbed Brian’s hand. “When the timer goes off, pull out the casseroles. One needs to go to the Thompsons tonight. Plus a salad and the cookies. They’re counting on it for dinner tonight.”

Brian squeezed Marilyn’s hand. “You need to worry about yourself.”

Marilyn struggled to sit up. “Please, promise me you’ll get it to them.”

Brian nodded. “I’ll text Eric.”

Marilyn allowed herself to relax as the pain medication kicked in. Her oldest son was responsible. He’d take care of it.

~*~

Marilyn opened her eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. Her head throbbed and her mouth was full of cotton. She lifted her head. Brian’s face came into focus.

“Hey, welcome back. How are you feeling?”

“What happened?”

“You fell and broke your him yesterday evening. You had surgery this morning, and now you’re in recovery.”

Marilyn struggled to focus. A broken hip? She didn’t have time for that. She pointed to the water pitcher setting on the bedside table, and Brian gave her a few sips. “It’s Sunday?”

Brian scooted his chair closer to her bed and took her hand. “Yes. Diana covered your Sunday school class this morning. Eric delivered the meal last night. You have nothing to worry about except getting better.”

Marilyn’s mind raced with all that needed to be done this week. She’d planned to do laundry this afternoon, she had to prep for Bible study tomorrow night, she needed to go grocery shopping in the morning for the week… Her head spun. “How long do I need to be here?”

“A couple of days. But when you get home, you’ll need to take it easy. A broken hip is a big deal, and I want you to get as much rest as possible. I know that’s hard for you, but you’re going to have to try.”

Marilyn groaned inwardly. She needed to get better as soon as possible.

~*~

Three days later, step by cautious step, Brian led Marilyn into their house. She’d been careful not to ask questions, afraid of the answers, but now she needed to face everything that would be piled up for her. The first surprise hit her when she walked in the door. Vacuum patterns lined the carpet, and a vase of fresh flowers sat on the coffee table. Marilyn crossed to the kitchen, expecting it to be bare, but upon opening the fridge, found it full of foil-covered dishes. A quick glance in the back yard showed a weed-free garden. She turned to Brian, who watched her with an amused expression. Her gaze caught on his shirt.

“You wore that shirt last week.”

Brian raised his eyebrows. “So?”

“So, if you’re wearing it again, it means the laundry is done.”

“Yes, dear. The laundry is done, the garden is weeded, and our church friends made us a mountain of meals.”

Marilyn fought back tears. “But that’s what I do.”

Brian guided her to a chair. “Yes, and you’re wonderful at all you do, but sometimes it’s OK to accept help.”

Marilyn settled into the chair and closed her eyes. She was not a charity case. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden.

Voices in the next room roused her. Had she fallen asleep? And who was talking with Eric? Marilyn picked up Shannon’s voice. Shannon, a dear woman from church. She’d better wake up so she could visit with her and Eric. As she cleared the sleep from her head, the voices grew clearer.

“Thanks for bringing the casserole, Mrs. Stevens. It looks amazing.”

Shannon laughed. “It should be. I got the recipe from your mother. She made it for me last year when I had back surgery. I was so pleased to be able to do something for her. She’s made so many meals for people over the years that when the church office got word of her fall, people lined up to make meals for her. We’re all so blessed by being allowed to help her.”

“I know what you mean. I’ll leave for college in the fall, so it was about time for me to learn to do the laundry. Dad showed me how, so I ran all the clothes and sheets and towels. Mom is amazing, but she seems to think she has to do everything. It feels good to help her. She certainly deserves it.”

Marilyn brushed a tear from her cheek. All these years, she thought it was weakness to need help, when in reality, allowing others to help was giving them a chance to feel blessed.

Matthew 25:35-40:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

God, it’s a wonderful blessing to help other people. But sometimes we are the ones who need help. Please help us be gracious and accept that help so we can allow others to be blessed. Thank You for those around us whom we can offer blessings, and thank You for those who can be blessed by helping us. Please give us the graciousness to give and accept help in the different seasons of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.