Story: Shuffling at the Y

Amidst our family’s visits to the YMCA, we pass a variety of people there to improve or maintain their health: moms with little kids, people recovering from cancer, older individuals (some of whom pass me on the track!). And while they all help inspire me to persevere when I get tired, the man who encourages me the most is the older gentleman who shuffles his way around the indoor track.

His feet barely move about 6 inches at a time, but on he goes, smiling and greeting everyone who passes him: “Good morning!” “Howdy!” “How are you?” He often walks about halfway around the lap before sitting in a chair to rest for 20 minutes or so. Then he goes to the other side and he sits down again.

I wonder what has happened to cause his walking to be so slow. But more than that, I wonder what causes his spirits to remain so high when others would be discouraged or frustrated. I wonder if he realizes just how much he is encouraging others by being there and doing what he does.

Who has encouraged you in your world today?