By Camille Brooks
It was a cold stormy Sunday morning in early spring as I gathered my family for church. Once there, I looked around the room for someone to sit by. This particular day I sat by a lady who was fairly new. As I strived to get to know her, it began to rain, then pour. The rain was beating down so hard, it was hard to hear her as she spoke. She became very anxious and then abruptly stood and said, “I have to go.” I asked, “Is anything wrong?” She said, “My basement floods when it rains. I have to go,” and she left.
I felt a strong impression that I should go with her and help.
I stopped by the children’s primary and asked if someone could bring my children to me after church, instructing them where I would be.
I ran home and put on some work clothes, and then went to this woman’s home. I found her in the basement, with water pouring in. The shock that I had left the church to help her, and that she was now not alone to face this dilemma, filled her eyes with tears of gratitude.
We both frantically worked trying to get ahead of the water, to no avail. Silently I prayed for inspiration, what could be done to stop the water from coming in? The thought came to go outside and dig ditches and divert the water away from the house. I asked if she had a shovel and went to work digging ditches, while she stayed inside bailing the water.
As I surveyed the outside, I found it was a new home and had not yet been landscaped. There was just rocks and dirt, which was now a muddy mess! Though I am not a farmer and knew nothing about ditch digging or irrigation techniques, I felt guided by the spirit, directing me what to do.
It was hard to dig through the rocks and create small ditches, however I felt I was being strengthened above my own capabilities, and gradually was able to make progress. I dug a ditch parallel with the house and then little fingers going away from the house. With each ditch we saw less water coming into her home.
I had finished three sides of the house and had one to go. By now my hands were frozen and I could hardly hold the shovel. I was so cold and exhausted I didn’t know how I could finish. I prayed for help to come, and then when I was spent, and could do no more, church was over and the men in the neighborhood saw me out digging and ran to help.
I will never forget that day, and the feeling I had, as I dug in the mire. There is nothing in the world so joyful as heeding a prompting to be on the Lord’s errand, and help someone in need.
