The Healing Power of Generosity and Charity

Apr 10, 2017 by Justin Vict

Here’s a timely reminder to be thankful and generous to others – it not only helps them, but heals you as well.

How an IHOP Employee Spread the Message of This Holy Season

Lent has touched many hearts – and recent news shows it. A heartwarming tale unfolded two weekends ago at an IHOP in Springfield, Illinois. A kind staff there, Joe Thomas, did something special for two of his regular customers.

These two customers are husband and wife, but with a sad situation. The wife has Huntington’s disease, which is a slow, painful fatal disease. The disease is genetic and has no cure – the brain’s cells simply start dying slowly by slowly, which leads to degeneration of mental, physical, and social capacities. The ultimate result is death, which occurs between 10 to 30 years from the onset of the disease.

If you’re caring for someone with Huntington’s, it’s a painful experience for both you and the sufferer. Slowly by slowly you see their physical abilities deteriorate – involuntary muscle spasms, having difficulty walking, and deteriorating speech. Their mental faculties start deteriorating too – starting with trouble organizing, then slowly losing academic knowledge, and then losing emotional control (outbursts of strong emotions).

Toward mid-progression, the victim becomes dependent because they can no longer do most normal activities on their own. For the husband and wife, such is the case. The wife has trouble using her eating utensils, chewing, and swallowing – things we can do, but take for granted. The husband helps her eat everytime they’re at IHOP.

The good Joe Thomas noticed that when the couple got their food, the husband would first steadfastly help his wife eat her whole meal. By the time he would eat his meal, his food would be cold. The scene warmed his heart and he decided to do something in the spirit of the Lenten season – he simply sat down next to the couple and gently told the husband to enjoy his food because he’ll be the one to help his wife eat.

He started doing it every single time the couple came into the IHOP. It’s important to realize Joe’s sacrifice – instead of serving other tables and earning tips from other customers, he spends up to an hour of his shift helping the couple. And IHOP encouraged the generous act – not reprimanding Joe for taking an hour off work to help the couple. In fact, IHOP released a statement saying they’re proud of Joe.

The scene touched many hearts at the IHOP, and one woman captured the Lenten scene with a picture and spread its heartwarming message through Facebook.

How Helping Others Helps Yourself

Letting the Lenten spirit influence your actions for the betterment of others doesn’t just help other people – it betters your physical health too. Doctors found that when we share and show love to others, it protects our hearts and lowers our stress.

It turns out that when we act lovingingly toward others, especially if physical contact is involved (like hugs or holding hands), our hypothalamus releases more oxycontin, which naturally relaxes our bodies and lowers our blood pressure.

That means that sharing the Lenten spirit makes others and yourself happy and peaceful – which is what God truly wants for us. If you’re only able to show the Lenten spirit by donating to charities – researchers found that has a great impact as well. Your funds further research and can help make advances in the treating of currently incurable diseases.

Original story’s source:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/03/29/ihop-waiter-stops-working-help-customer-huntingtons-disease-eat/99769920/