Letting Their Lights Shine

Several high school groups have formed, across the United States, to make sure that no veteran is buried without someone there to honor them. As members of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry, the young men dress in suits and serve as pallbearers for the indigent, homeless, and unclaimed veterans that have no family that can be located. The students take the time to learn the veteran’s name and story and as much as they can about their background. They pay their final respects as an honor guard.

In 1946, Truett and Ben Cathy opened the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia. They developed a recipe, in 1967, that would later become the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich. During those times, most eating places were closed on Sundays so the employees could go to church, take a break, rest, and spend time with family. The Cathy brothers made that decision a priority for their grill. Years later Truett announced, “We’re in business to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that’s entrusted to us and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” Truett’s son, Dan, eventually became CEO and in 2021, the torch was passed to his son, Andrew. Recently, Andrew Cathy was interviewed and asked if he had considered opening on Sundays. He replied that he never had and didn’t even spend time considering the potential profits. Christian faith continues to be the anchor for Chick-fil-A. Through the years, they have donated enough food to contribute over 200 million meals for those in need.

 

On Sunday, during the Atlanta Falcons football game, rookie Zachariah Branch had two fumbles against the Chicago Bears. Coming off the field, he threw his helmet on the ground. Teammate Bijan Robinson found Branch on the sideline. Knowing he was frustrated, Robinson spoke words of encouragement. Then both players bowed their heads as Bijan prayed. Robinson stated, “He’s a rookie. I just wanted to make sure he was OK mentally and that his faith is high and that he’s spiritually well. Because for a young guy, that’s the most important thing.” Branch has mentioned in several interviews about how appreciative he is of being on a team that shares Christian faith and values.

May we, too, be willing to let the light of Jesus shine through us, for the Father’s glory.

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 

Thought Filled Efforts

 

When he was band director, Mr. Emmett directed and participated in homecoming parades for 34 years. Being retired, he continues to attend the parade each year. Since he lives four blocks off Main Street, in southern Iowa, Emmett, 92, and his black lab, Sousa, walk to the high school on Thursdays and he spends time freeing up stuck valves. This year he told the band students he would listen for them from his front porch. With Sousa being 15, he needed help getting up off the floor and didn’t need to be left home for a long time by himself. That’s when the tuba section came up with an idea. They approached Mr. Kendra, the band director, and asked if they could step off the parade route, and play at Mr. Emmett’s house. On Saturday, the parade started at 10:00. As the band approached Mr. Emmett’s street, the director gave the signal to turn left. Listening from his front porch, with his cup of coffee and dog, the retired director noticed the band sounded louder instead of fainter as it proceeded down the parade route. He soon saw the band marching down his street and stopping in his front yard to play for him. They played a song that Mr. Emmett had written for the band years before any of the band members were born. He directed the last bars of the music with his coffee spoon. The band then returned to the parade route, where the people had waited twenty minutes for their return.

 

Two hundred students, at Syracuse University in New York, gathered in the Skybarn to join members of the community and the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace for a bed-building event. At the end of the day, 88 beds had been completed. With children in Syracuse living under the poverty level, beds are a luxury. Some students also volunteered to deliver the beds and saw first hand how an ordinary item can make an extraordinary difference for a child and their family.

 

Army Private First Class Givens lost his life in the Iraq war. Actor Gary Sinise tells how Givens left a letter for his wife that if anything happened to him she would take the kids to Disneyland. In 2006, as a part of Snowball Express, Givins’ family and the families of other fallen soldiers were treated to a trip to Disneyland. Sinise joined Snowball Express in 2007. His foundation took over providing the trips in 2017. Starting in 2018, the families were treated  to a trip to Disney World in December. 

 

He answered, “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27

 

Gifts of Service

Dalton Medley and Collin Carrell, teenagers from Satsuma, Alabama, were enjoying the afternoon riding their bikes. As they rode down 7th Street, police officers stopped them and asked that they be on the lookout for 77-year-old Kathryn Whitney, who was missing. Since she was dealing with dementia, her family was very worried about her. Dalton and Collin purposefully set out to find Mrs. Whitney. It wasn’t long before the young men noticed an older lady sitting in a rocking chair on a back patio. They stopped and went to speak with her. Realizing it was the missing lady, the boys notified the police then stayed until the officers arrived. The house camera revealed that Mrs. Whitney had been sitting there for an hour and a half. Because two teenagers were entrusted and encouraged to help, Mrs. Whitney was found and reunited with her family. 

Sadie Hutson, 12, is on the lookout for stuffed animals, even if they are worn. Living in Dobson, North Carolina, Sadie and her mom frequent thrift stores and garage sales to purchase stuffed animals. That’s when the second chance begins. The toys are washed, repaired, and restuffed. The local Red Cross is known for giving stuffed animals to children who are dealing with the tragedy of losing their home to a fire. The Red Cross office was running low so Jon McCollum, a former firefighter, asked the community for help. After hearing the request, Sadie quickly packed up 114 stuffed animals and donated them for the children. She continues to purchase, rescue, repair, and give away stuffed animals to children who need something soft to hold during a time of crisis.

 

Jacob McPeake, from Gloucester, England, is 11. He recently had three grandparents who fought through cancer treatments. During that time, Jacob made the decision to grow out his blonde hair so wigs could be made for children who lost their hair during cancer treatments. Jacob was often bullied because of the length of his hair. Several times he was tempted to have his hair cut, in order to stop the teasing, but he remembered his purpose. The day finally arrived when Jacob could have his hair cut the 18 inches needed to make wigs for children who were losing their hair. He also raised 1230 pounds, $1,625, to help with the project.

 

May we, too, find joy in using the gifts God has given us to bless and serve others.

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10