Moral dilemma - ridiculous?

[Kathrin]

At the place where I work I helped a patient water a plant about 2 or so weeks ago, maybe more.
The plant was outside, in a pot, under a kind of roof, maybe already frozen and dead, but we wanted to try.
I forgot about it again.
Remember it today, on my day off.
Feeling responsible that the plant gets water, somehow, feeling tempted to call or even go there secretly and water the plant but:

• Maybe it is not my responsibility but the person’s who put it there? And maybe the patient remembered? But I am not sure.
• Maybe the plant was already dead and it would be a waste of time to go there and ridiculous to call (I have called about small things before. They know I have a bit of OCD I think…)
• Maybe I should wait until tomorrow when I work again and then try to talk to the guy who takes care of the house
  BUT:
  Then maybe just because of me the plant suffers an extra day?

Ok.
Maybe this may all sound ridiculous.
The moral dilemma is this: What is the reasoning behind my thinking?
Do I just not want to call or go there because I don’t want to look ridiculous? (I wouldn’t want to be somebody who lets even a plant suffer just to put mySELF in a better light.)
Or, is it really so that it would only seem ridiculous because it really is not my responsibility? (That’s what my Mom said. She really said I shouldn’t call or go there, she almost got upset. She also said I am responsible for myself and that I get some rest on my day off and not think about things like that.)

What do you think about this? Who of you would call or go because of a plant that may or may not still be there and may or may not be alive and may or may not have been watered again?

If I don’t call or go, would that be selfish? (I don’t want them to think I am totally nuts… I called because of a little snail about a week ago that was probably frozen too)

Or is it really ok to say, this is not my responsibility, I am not the one who put the plant there, and if anything I can kind of casually ask or give water when I am there again tomorrow?

I am kind of tempted now to just wait and not do anything and then late at night it would be too late anyway… but wouldn’t that be like committing a sin just knowing that later you won’t be able to change it again anyway and you could still repent?

Does that all sound crazy?

Kathrin

 

[Trishie]

Kathrin, take it easy.
I think you could put the plant in God;s hands. You can’t make yourself responsible for it today, tomorrow next week, in a years’ time. You are very sensitive, but no, it’s not your responsibility. I’m very sensitive myself. I rescue insects even…but don’t do this, Kathrin. You could take responsibility for any number of things, endlessly but a person can drive themselve crazy that way.
You need your relaxation and peace.
Place yourself in God’s care and rest.
Pray for others if you must worry about something.
Or please do sometihng kind for your mother. She needs to have peace and maybe a bit of that care you wish to give the plant.

God grant you peace and perspective

Warm regards, Trishie

 

[Kathrin]

Trishie,

thank you so much for your kind response. For not just saying I am crazy… I rescue insects too .

I think you (and my Mom, and a friend I asked) are right… I can’t take responsibility for everything. I know that! (Do I?)

Yes, I am very sensitive. I can be a real worrier too and it takes a lot of energy. You are right there too. That was one reason I decided not to do anything today - using up energy for those little “maybe-maybe not” things is maybe just not worth it, because it could be spent better… more wisely… more lovingly? Instead of just driving myself nuts.

Yes, easy to say this now, and then maybe there will be another situation which will be just a slight bit different and I may struggle again… but I have to try to hold on to these things.

And my mother will probably be very happy if she asks me tonight if I went there, or called, if I say no. I think she is a little worried about me. So maybe if I can’t be strong for myself I can be for my mother (doubts: being “strong” By not doing something good?? Hm, but would it be good or could I make it worse? Plus, all the energy it takes, maybe just blowing things out of proportion… another doubt: Ha, maybe you just told your mother so you would have an excuse not to do it later because you are… scared? lazy?)
But enough already. I want to do the sane thing, and I don’t feel I am not a loving person. It feels ok now. Right now it feels ok. I need to hold on to this.
And going to a mass now that is being celebrated at an old people’s home close by here.

Kathrin