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? We’d love to hear…