From the Heart, With Love

 

A high school in Virginia has an automotive technology program where the students apply engineering, physics, and problem-solving to repair cars.  They learn about electrical systems, combustion, efficiency, and safety. People donate cars to the school. While the students perform the work, the teachers guide. When the automobiles have been repaired, the keys are given to a single mother so she can have a reliable car. The students are learning important skills and then given the opportunity to express compassion.

That Thursday morning there were fifteen nice winter coats hanging on the fence at the elementary school, but no note or instructions. Principal Morris called the police to document the coats, in case they had been stolen. Kayla Martinez, 8-years-old, saw a purple coat on the fence that was her size. She explained to Mrs. Alvarez, her PE teacher, that her mother didn’t have enough money to buy her a coat so she would wear three hoodies to try to stay warm. Kayla then asked permission to take the coat. By lunchtime, all of the coats had been claimed. The next Thursday there were twenty coats on the fence outside of the community center in their neighborhood. Another Thursday there were thirty coats at the downtown shelter. Then blankets and boots began appearing. No one knew who was supplying the items. They just called the mystery person “The Fence Angel.” In March, Earl Hutchins, 71, died. When they cleaned out his apartment they found hundreds of receipts from thrift stores. He spent his disability checks to purchase the coats. His nephew found a journal entry, “Lost my son to exposure in 2004. He was homeless, prideful, wouldn’t take handouts. Froze to death behind a dumpster wearing a T-shirt. If I put coats on a fence, nobody has to ask. Nobody has to admit they need help. They just take it. Dignity intact.” Kayla never got to thank Mr. Hutchins. She is sixteen now. In November, she took her babysitting money to Goodwill and bought six coats. She then hung them on the same fence, by the elementary school. When her friends saw what Kayla did, they also bought coats, as did their parents. The high school had a coat drive for what is now known as “Earl’s Fence.” This past Thursday, there were 200+ coats, scarves, and gloves to be shared. There are also designated “Earl’s Fences” in Detroit, Manchester, and Vancouver.

 

 Whether working as a group or individually, in the open or behind the scenes, may we do our part to share with others.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Making a Difference with Words and Deeds

As confetti showered down on the Oregon Ducks, Jacob Rodriguez, linebacker for Texas Tech, sat alone on the bench with a towel draped over his head. The Ducks had defeated the Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl. Without fanfare, Oregon’s quarterback Dante Moore left the celebration and walked across the field to find Rodriguez. The reporter stated, “He knelt beside his rival and offered the one thing no one expected. Brotherhood. Moore chose grace. He whispered words that made Rodriguez stand up, wipe his tears, and manage a small nod.” Moore is a winner in more ways than just football.

Victoria found a note on her door that made her Christmas special.

“Hi!

We are your neighbors. Our kids

have loved your décor for years.

They (especially the 4 yr old) request

to drive by anytime we are on the way

home! Thanks for putting up fun décor -

our kiddos really love it!

Merry Christmas!

~ Cooke Family

 

Wearing his “College Hunks Hauling Junk” uniform, 18-year-old Cesar Larios stepped into the elevator in a building in Tampa, Florida. An elderly lady, with a walker, was already inside. The doors closed, the elevator began to go up and suddenly lurched to a stop. After calling for help, Cesar noticed that the lady’s knees had begun to tremble. She mentioned that she had difficulty standing for long periods of time. That’s when Cesar got down on all fours, made a human bench, and asked his new acquaintance to, “Please have a seat.” Thirty minutes later, when the elevator doors opened, the cameras recorded the moment. As the picture went viral, Cesar’s company president Nick Friedman stated, “A lot of people say the younger generation has lost certain values. But one small picture shows that chivalry and hard work are still very much alive.”

 

Whether spoken or written, may our words and deeds also make a difference for good.

 

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,

Ephesians 5:1-2a

Being Salt and Light

Daniel Miller, his siblings, and cousins surprised their grandparents last week. One by one the young adult grandkids showed up at their home with sleeping bags, ingredients for homemade pizzas, snacks, and arts and crafts activities. All 8 “cousins” wanted to spend cherished time with their grandparents, like they did when they were younger.

The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the Big Ten Championship. Reporters raced to interview quarterback Fernando Mendoza and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Both young men made it a point to thank Jesus Christ for the victory, for the strength he gave them, and for the opportunity. They wanted to make sure that He was first to receive the glory and attention.

 

Martha, a 73-year-old cashier, has worked at Food Mart since 1998. She has a pickle jar, with quarters in it, at her station. Any time a customer pays with food stamps or vouchers, Martha quietly adds a quarter to the jar. A coworker asked her what was with the quarters and she replied, “Counting my blessings.” Martha grew up with parents who needed food stamps so her family could eat. There were times the cashier was rude and made a big deal about her parents needing assistance. That’s when Martha decided she would not treat people disrespectfully. She usually adds three to four quarters a shift. After several months there was $140 in the jar. One morning a mother, with two toddlers, was checking out when her EBT card was declined due to insufficient funds. She began pulling items to leave behind. That’s when Martha stopped her, quietly opened the pickle jar, counted out the amount needed, and told the woman, “Ma’am, looks like you’ve got store credit.” The woman replied that she didn’t but Martha quietly whispered, “You do now. Take your groceries. Feed those babies.” A stock boy witnessed the event and word soon spread about Martha’s kindness. Soon five other cashiers had a pickle jar at their station. Before long, the manager added a large donation jar by the store entrance and labeled it, “Martha’s Quarters.” People in need are now helped without drawing attention to their situation. Martha’s idea has now spread to seventeen stores in three states.

 

As we begin a new year, may we also find ways to be salt and light.

 

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

Generous Hearts

 

Good Earth Greenhouse LLC is located at Highway 7 S, in Oxford, Mississippi. A few days before Christmas, they notified the people in their community that the remainder of the Christmas trees, at their location, were free to good homes. 

Walmart has a partnership with 20+ food banks across Texas. During this Holiday Season, they have generously donated over 90 million pounds of food, providing over 75 million meals for families.

Frank Gable is a recently retired factory foreman and a widower. He values his quiet and slower mornings. Saturday morning, the doorbell rang at 7 AM! Opening the door, a cold blast of air hit Mr. Gable. Two boys, 14 and 12, were standing on the front porch. The oldest spoke, “Excuse me, Mr. Gable…we were wondering if you’d like us to shovel your driveway. And your front walk.” The drive was buried in snow. It wouldn’t be an easy job and neither of the boys appeared to be dressed warm enough for the task. When asked the cost, the boys said they would do it all, plus the steps for $20. When Frank asked if it was $20 each, the young men assured him it was $20 total price. After permission was granted, the boys began shoveling. Marcus, the older boy, used the decent shovel to break up the snow, while Leo used the shovel held together with duct tape. The boys worked without breaks, no complaining, and no talking on the phone. Frank noticed that Marcus soon changed shovels with Leo to help make it easier for him. After watching the boys work, Mr. Gable put on his boots, made two cups of hot chocolate, took them outside, and announced that it was time for a union break. He then told Marcus to go to his garage and get his heavy-duty shovel to finish the job. An hour later they knocked on the door and had Mr. Gable come out to inspect their work. He noticed the boys had even brushed snow off of the railing by the steps. Frank opened his wallet and handed Marcus $120. The boys reminded Mr. Gable that they agreed to shovel his driveway and sidewalk for $20. Frank replied, “I know what you said. You did the work. And you did it well. Twenty dollars an hour per man, for three hours work, in this weather. That’s $120. You earned it.” Tears began rolling down Leo’s face. Marcus spoke, “Sir…you don’t understand. Our mom works nights at St. Jude’s. Her car battery died this morning. She was going to call off and maybe lose her job.  The auto parts store said a new battery is $114. We were just trying to get anything.”  The boys took off running straight to the auto parts store.

 

May our hearts encourage us to be generous, too!

 

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11

Merry Christmas - 2025

 

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

 

The virgin will conceive

and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel

(which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23

 

 

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you

good news that will cause

great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David

a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:11-12

 

 

The word became flesh and

made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory.

the glory of the one and only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

 

 

For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but

have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

 

When the fullness of time had come,

God sent forth his Son, born of woman,

born under the law, to redeem those

who were under the law, so that we

might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

 

 

This is love:

not that we loved God, but that

he loved us and sent his Son as

an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10

 

 

Thanks be to God

for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

 

 

May your Christmas Season be filled with God’s peace, love, and joy.