Heart Gifts

 

In 1983, Earl Guynes found out that his wife was expecting their first child, a son.  He was thrilled, but soon realized he would need to sell his prize 1967 Marina Blue Camaro to buy a more practical car, in order to help with expenses.  Jared Guynes first heard the story of what his dad had done during his teenage years.  Earl knew every detail of the car… “1967.  350 V8.  Marina Blue.  White stripes.  Automatic.  Cragar aftermarket wheels.  White letter tires.  Dual exhaust.”  From the first time he heard the story, Jared’s desire was to find his dad’s car and give it back to him.  No one knew of his plan.  Jared was able to find the car in 2022 in Oklahoma.  Although in rough shape, the car was purchased.  Little by little, he began to restore the old car.  Jared was even able to locate a brand-new set of the 15” cragar wheels, just like the ones the car had in the 80’s.  On Earl’s 65th birthday, Jared drove up and handed his dad the keys to the car.  When he saw it, Earl commented that it was a car like the one he had.  Upon further inspection, and comments that were made, he realized it was his old car!  There were tears and a big hug.  Jared commented, “It was one of the best moments of my entire life.  I love you, Dad.  Thanks for the diaper money.”

Leonard and Dorothy Bullock, from Pendleton, Oregon, have lived in the two-story house, across the street from the railroad yard, since 1982.  Due to tough times, the couple has not had extra money for the upkeep of the outside of their house.  For the last four years, Josh Cyganik, a railway worker, has waved to Leonard, but never took the time to talk to him.  One day two teenagers were walking past the Guynes’ house.  They pointed, laughed and said the place looked so bad that it should be burned down.  Josh heard the comments and from the look on Leonard’s face he was aware of the comments, too.  That’s when things changed.  A few days later, Josh went to talk to Leonard to see if he and some friends could come and paint his house.  The hardware store donated paint and supplies.  When Josh posted about the project, on his neighborhood Facebook page, over 100 people showed up on Saturday to help.  Not only did they paint the house, but also fixed up the porch, bought needed supplies and replaced the roof, and made the porch entry wheelchair accessible.  One of Josh’s friends drove by at 10:00 that night and Dorothy and Leonard were still sitting on their porch smiling.

 

Whether it’s a long term, day, or spur of the moment project, may we be quick to give gifts of the heart.

 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

Spontaneous Blessings

 

Jennifer Ziegler helped an 81-year-old lady through the gate to her apartment.  During the short walk, Jennifer learned that the lady enjoyed watching the birds from her living room window.  She lamented that her bird feeders stayed empty now because the bags were too heavy and she could no longer fill the bird feeders.  Knowing the birds brought her new friend joy, Jennifer decided to keep a bag of bird seeds in the trunk of her car and told her friend she would be by at different times to fill the feeders.  The lady hugged her and said, “The Lord brought you to me and GOD BLESS!”  Jennifer responded, “Needless to say, the Lord brought her to me today as well.  You see I lost my Mom a year ago and really needed that connection too.”

Hailey Ann Smith, dressed in a long evening gown, was on her way to play the harp for a wedding.  She hit stand still traffic on I-85 in Georgia.  Knowing it would do no good to be upset, Hailey got out of her car, set up her harp, and began to play.  The stuck travelers gathered around and were delighted to have something to enjoy while they waited.

 

Cannon, a young teenager from Midwest City, Oklahoma, has taken the 50 Yard Challenge to a new level.  After mowing 50 yards for free, he chose to participate in the 100 Yard Challenge where he mowed 50 additional lawns for free for single parents, the elderly, disabled, and veterans in his city.   Now Cannon is signed up for the Military Edition, where he will mow 50 lawns for active-duty military and veterans.  He just completed mowing his 101^st lawn for a disabled Navy veteran!

 

An electric crew, from Port Huron, Michigan, spent more than three weeks restoring electricity after Hurricane Helene.  Grateful that they never lost power, Brittany Leach and her husband had stayed busy helping family and friends.  As they passed a group of linemen, working in the neighborhood, they decided to go to the store and buy things to make sandwiches.  They also purchased chips, treats and additional snacks to take to the workers.  When delivering lunch, Brittany teased that the workers should come to dinner, since she was making jambalaya.  When they took her up on the offer, Brittany and her husband headed back to the store for additional groceries.  Leach recounted, “There is such joy seeing people enjoying a hot home-cooked meal who are so deserving of our gratitude for what they are doing to help our communities.  They are working 16-hr days.  They deserve kindness!”

 

Whether it’s something small or big, may we be quick to look for ways to bless, help, and encourage others.

 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3:8

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