THE EXTRA MILE

THE EXTRA  MILE

It was many years ago, when my family and I went to the Shrine Circus. Our son, who was about 8 years old wanted a balloon to bring home. He picked out a big blue one and held on to it by the string, proud and happy as it floated in the air. Driving home we stopped at a fast food restaurant for refreshments. I told my son, to be careful of his balloon, as he opened the car window. It was too late! The balloon floated out the window, up into the air. It was gone! I looked at my son; in sadness and silence, tears rolled down his face, the treasure he had, was lost! My compassionate heart was so moved. I started the car and drove out from the restaurant. My wife asked me where I was going. I told her there was something I needed to do. I drove all the way back to the Shrine Circus. I sent my wife inside to purchase another balloon for our son. I remember this, like it was yesterday, and it still touches me today, how my son was so brokenhearted, and how I felt reaching out to him. I just went the “extra” mile, to mend a broken heart.

It is these things that tug at the heart, that causes a compassionate reaction, to take action; to correct a wrong; an injustice; or comfort the sorrow. It is an action, that reaches, and penetrates further and more meaningful. 

Close friends of ours, were selling and almost new vacuum cleaner, and asked us if we knew anyone who would be interested in buying it. I asked in work. This one lady I knew, said she would like to buy it, but the price they were asking was almost comparable to a new vacuum, and a new one has a guarantee. I told her; I would give her a year  guarantee on all parts and labor myself. If it broke, I would have it fixed free of charge. I then wrote out a document on paper, and gave it to her. She was so moved, that anyone would think of, or do something like this. Such a peacefulness fell upon her, with such an expression of awe, thanking me; she was almost in tears. I just went the “extra” mile, and touched a heart in a special way.

One evening, my doorbell rang. I opened the door, to see a boy about 10 years old with a younger boy. He wanted to use my telephone to call for a ride home. They were at the school near my house for a ball game, and their ride never came for them. They were all alone and abandoned in the dark night. The boy called the number, but there was no answer on the other end. What could I do? I told them, “If you show me the way to your house, I would drive you there.” We climbed into my car and off we went. I drove them the distance needed to get them safely home. I just went the “extra” mile, to help these orphans who were led to my door.

There are situations like these, that call upon us to expedite our action and assistance. There are people all around us, waiting; looking for someone to energize them, to help overcome their hopeless situation and despair. It is the compassionate heart which is attracted, directed, and motivated to go beyond, to go, the “extra” mile. This component of compassion is enriched with each “mile,” and is a “mile,” closer to the Lord. It is an inner calling of mission; to help those who can’t help themselves. It is a reminder here, to remember, Jesus walked the “extra” mile to His death, for you and I, and for all. With this in mind, how inconvenient could it be, to go the “extra” mile, to do something for someone; to run an errant; provide transportation to an appointment; to be helpful and considerate; to be patient; contribute financially; to be a friend; to offer your time; to offer your heart.

These true stories I tell you about, are not meant to be boastful, nor an example of good works, but, I write about them to help define, what the “extra” mile is, and the extent of effort needed, when called upon. For each “mile” is but a few steps, a few feet, or miles upon miles, each, according to ones own journey of circumstances.

This past year my wife wanted to do over our bedroom with new wallpaper and paint. I was open to the idea, and agreed to do the work myself. The wallpaper pattern was recommended by the decorator at a local store. I began work, stripping away the old wallpaper from the walls and washing off all the glue residue. I painted the ceiling, windows, the doors and all the trim. I had to change the electrical outlets to match the color in the wallpaper, from white to tan. With the help of my wife, I began to hang the wallpaper. I had the room half done, when I asked her how it looked. She said it was “OK, but it looked darker then it was in the sample book.” I told her; “If you don’t like it, tell me now, and I will stop, and get something else.” “No,” she said, it’s “OK.” When the room was finished, I put all the furniture back in its place and re-hung the drapes. Two weeks passed, I noticed my wife was not too happy, and was bothered by something. Finally, she told me, the paper was horrible. When you looked at it on an angle, huge blotches of brown appeared. I looked at it and agreed that the blotches were noticeable and offensive. My wife said she didn’t want to tell me before, because of all the work I had already done. Without hesitation, I calmly told her that I would correct the problem and redo the wallpaper to make her happy. I then went to a different store and brought home several wallpaper books for my wife to look at. It so happens, the paper she picked out, has small blue ribbons, with small red roses and bouquets of red roses. Once again, I began doing the work I had done before, stripping away the other paper and washing off all the glue. I re-changed the electrical outlets from tan, back to white, to match the color in the new paper. With the help of my wife, I wallpapered the room for the second time. When finished, I put back all the furniture and re-hung the drapes once again. This project was extended, by an extra three weeks of work and added expense, that in itself, was unimportant. I just went the “extra” mile, performing this task without resentment, agitation, or complaints. 

This is the inner dwelling of compassion, when you reach inside yourself and give it freely, giving it away, unselfish, and pure. The “extra” mile, is just putting one foot in front of the other, with the Lord as your guide, sending you on your way. For it is not the distance traveled, which is important, but the substance of the journey. For the Christians journey is endless, continuous in love and compassion, a compass, leading in all directions.

Reach out; touch a heart; touch a life; inspire; encourage; let your heart be your shoes, fill them with compassion. Let love, be your voice to melt your opponent and ignite a mellowed flame into their heart. Wherever you go, or whatever you do, the “extra” mile, is the extension and beauty, of the Lords voice.

Robert J. Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com