Funny Stories. When I hesitate.

Here's what I love: funny stories.

A few days ago I was in a public restroom and just after I finished washing my hands, I took note of a lady trying to get the paper towel to come out of the dispenser. She was waving across it, looking underneath. Then, she’d try waving slowly, then waving quickly. She had tried everything short of shimmying to get the paper towel to come out. I soon noticed the problem. You see, there was an archaic thing on the side of the dispenser called a handle. Weird, I know.

I felt awkward reaching over to give the handle a few tugs so that some paper towel would scroll down for her. I knew she'd feel like an idiot like any of us would. But, what was I going to do? I mean, I guess I could have just left with my hands dripping and forced her to figure it out. Or I could have let her leave with wet hands and then use all the paper towel for myself. That would mean.

So, I awkwardly reached over and gave the handle a few tugs. I smiled at her when she looked at me with embarrassed awe. She mumbled something as she half laughed and quickly dried her hands (which by now were actually nearly dry already after all that waving). She flashed me one last sheepish, but grateful smile as she quickly exited the restroom.

It was hard. I didn’t want to embarrass her. And I tried to be humble about it—I could have just elbowed her out of the way and said: “it’s called a handle, you idiot!”

Maybe it would have been fine to let her go with partially wet hands and her ego intact. We are talking about paper towel, not the cure for cancer after all.

But, it got me thinking. If you've realized something in life—when you have knowledge that someone else doesn't yet possess, shouldn't you share it? I mean, forget about paper towel for a moment. There are much bigger things in life (obviously). Like if you’ve discovered a coupon code to get 50% off your on-line order at Pottery Barn, you better share that knowledge baby. Or, if you’ve found that giving your teething toddler Motrin before bed has helped her sleep, for pity’s sake, tell your sleep deprived friend so she can try it with her teething son. Found a great recipe that everyone in your family enjoyed—share it! Know a short-cut? Make sure you tell your neighbor who just moved to town. There are lots of great things we know or have found out that we should not keep to ourselves.

Here's what I hate: when I hesitate.

How about this one—

Have you found indescribable peace? Have you tapped into Constant Joy? Do you have a place to turn when you are in trouble? Do you know of a sacrificial love that blows your mind? Do you know how to get sins completely washed away? Do you know the Way to eternal and abundant life? If that’s the case, I bet there is someone within your realm of influence who is like that lady waving wildly at the manual paper towel dispenser. Your friend or acquaintance is trying everything under the sun to find peace. He or she thinks if they do something just right, they’ll get to heaven. They’re confused. They can’t see how it works. You know how it works.

I know it feels awkward. They might even act mad or embarrassed. But, remember, this is WAY more than wet hands we are talking about here. In the restroom scenario, the woman received paper towel. Yippee. In the real life scenario, your neighbor receives cleansing, peace, joy, hope and unending love for eternity.

Stop hesitating and share the love people.