Devotion, Honor, and Love

 

Dennis Carpenter has suggested that people give any extra luggage they no longer need to their local foster care agency.  Many times, foster children transport their belongings in a trash bag.  Having a suitcase can help add to their self-esteem.

For the past twenty-eight years, the 12th graders at Balfour Collegiate, a high school in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada have hosted a dance for the senior citizens in their community. Before the dance, some of the students put on a variety show of drama, dance, and visual arts.  Students in the cooking class prepare and serve the meal.  Several of the athletes and other students say they look forward to this event all year long.  Most of the senior citizens are from low-income housing near the school.  They enjoy interacting with and meeting the students and the students are fascinated with the stories from their older neighbors.

 

Harold uses a wheelchair to get around and lives at the nursing home across the street from where Shawn Beveridge is working on a building project.  When Shawn arrives at the site, at 7 a.m., Harold is already sitting on the porch watching the workers.  He eats lunch when they do and continues to watch until the crane is shut down for the day.  After a few days, Shawn was curious and went across the street and introduced himself.  He found out that Harold had operated a crane for more than 50 years.  Since he could no longer work, Shawn made a deal with his new friend.  Every day, after work, he would cross the street and visit with Harold.  They would talk about work that day and he asked Harold to offer suggestions and to critique his work.  He then told Harold he would bring him a cup of coffee every morning and would buy him lunch, from wherever he chose, twice a week for as long as he was at that job.  Shawn later commented, “I’m thankful to have the opportunity to make this man’s last days enjoyable, filled with purpose and to be able to smile again.”  He then challenged, “Don’t be afraid to make someone’s day better.  Always try to enlighten someone’s spirits.  When God chooses to take this man home, I’m happy knowing I’ve been placed here at this location to make his days better.  I’m happy with that.”

 

This week, may our actions also express devotion, honor, and love.

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Thoughts to Action

 

"Day by day, what you choose,

what you think and what you do

is who you become.”

~ Heraclitus

 

 

“Knowledge isn’t power

until it’s applied.”

~ Dale Carnegie

 

 

“Going to practice is the most

minimal thing you can do.

EVERYONE goes to practice.

Champions are great because of

what they do outside of practice.”

~ Coach Julie Reed

 

 

Kindness is free.

Sprinkle that stuff

everywhere!

~ Unknown

 

 

“If it is not right do not do it;

if it is not true do not say it.”

~ Marcus Aurelius

 

 

Do good because it matters,

not because it gets noticed.

~ Unknown

 

 

A beautiful day begins with

a beautiful mind,

a peaceful soul,

and a grateful heart.

~ Unknown

 

 

“A man sees in the world

what he carries in his heart.”

~ Goethe

 

 

Love needs action.

Trust needs proof.

Sorry needs change.

~ Unknown

 

 

“Act as if what you do

makes a difference.

It does.”

~ William James

 

 

It costs $0.00 to treat

someone with respect.

~ Arshad Ali

 

 

“MORNING IS GOD’S WAY OF

SAYING ONE MORE TIME,

GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE,

TOUCH A HEART,

ENCOURAGE A MIND,

INSPIRE A SOUL AND

ENJOY THE DAY.”

~ Mufti Mink

 

 

May our thoughts lead to doing what is right and good.

 

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

 

Taking Time to be Kind

 

Carolyn Jump’s dad was sitting in his favorite chair, looking out the front window of his home in Grant County, Kentucky.  He noticed that a white car pulled up to his mailbox, put something in, and then drove away.  Upon investigation, he found his wallet he had lost over a month ago in the Boone County parking lot.  The wallet still had the $140 cash, as well as all the credit and gift cards.  The finder made the time and effort to return the wallet, without seeking a reward or recognition.

Cindy Clausen drives Bus #50 for the school district.  She recently took the time to type a letter to Jorge and Leonor about their children.  Annaliese and Jorge have been supportive and compassionate to a little boy, Jackson, who also rides their bus.  They ask that he get to sit with them.  It is difficult for Jackson to walk and sometimes he is sad when he gets on the bus.  When he sees Annaliese and Jorge, he begins to smile.  Clausen mentioned, “Today Annaliese looked from around her seat and said, ‘come on Jackson, you can do it’ and when we arrived at school Jorge took it upon himself to carry out his backpack!  I know you know how wonderful your children are, but I wanted you to know it shows!” 

 

They had stopped to get gas for the car when Mike noticed two young boys waiting to add gas to their lawn mower.  He motioned for them to come over and filled the mower with gas.  Mike then handed the boys cash to buy ice cream and money with instructions to mow an elderly person’s yard for free.  His wife responded, “He would never make a post about what he did because that’s not who he is or why he did it…but I just want to remind everyone that there is still so much good in this world.”

 

Tita Holliday and her 13-year-old granddaughter were shopping.  As they were about to enter the store, her granddaughter noticed a family with two small children by a sign asking for help.  She quietly handed the people some money and then went into the store with her grandmother.  Tita commented, “Absolutely love her heart.”

 

Bridget Stevens and her two sons arrived home in the Pittsburg-area to a freezing 50 degrees inside their house.  She was able to text her husband, Bobby, who is deployed overseas.  She tried everything suggested, but could not get the furnace started so she placed a call to Betlyn Heating and Cooling in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.  The owner, Paul Betlyn, answered the call.  He gave a few more suggestions of things to try and when none worked, Paul said he was on his way over, even though it was now after hours.  While chatting, Paul found out that Bobby, the husband/father, was serving in the military and stationed overseas.  Betlyn was able to fix the furnace.  On the bill, there was a $1 charge.  Paul had also written a note to thank her husband for his service.  He quickly said that the $1 was a joke and there would be no charge.  Betlyn stated, “I’m not the hero here.  The deployed, they’re the heroes.”

 

May we all be intentional about taking time to be kind this week.

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 Thessalonians 5:11