Chances to Make a Difference

 

Decades ago, Amy Hill stopped by the bank to get cash, before running her errands for the day.  Having several hundred dollars in her purse, Amy’s first stop was at Wal-Mart to pick up her husband’s glasses.  While waiting in line, she heard the man in front of her quoted a price for some much-needed glasses.  Slowly the man lowered his eyes, shrugged his shoulders, and told the salesman that he didn’t have enough money to purchase the glasses.  Amy reminisced, “I stood there and just watched him walk away when I had the cash to easily pay for the glasses.  It haunted me for years.”  A few years ago, after moving to Houston, Amy was once again in Wal-Mart, but this time looking for glasses for herself.  She overheard the almost identical story as before.  This time Amy said, “I immediately told the man I would purchase his glasses.  I’m so glad God gave me a second chance.”

One cold and snowy morning, Melissa noticed a young girl at the bus stop trying to move around to keep warm.  Although she had on a jacket and knit hat, her tennis shoes were well worn.  Knowing she went to her son’s school, Melissa called to check on her.  Finding out the family was struggling, and had to choose between food or shoes, she asked for the size of the young girl’s shoes.  She immediately went shopping, bought some warm winter boots, and took them to the school counselor.  The next morning, the girl had on her fuzzy boots with a big smile on her face.  Melissa said, “She didn’t know where they came from, but that didn’t matter.  What mattered was that she was warm.”  

 

With her dad being in the military, 9-year-old Addie has learned that her dad would not always be in town to support her events in person.  Friday night, Addie and her friends were cheering, along with their dads, at the game.  Standing alone, without her dad, the tears came.  Noticing the situation, a young man climbed the fence, put Addie on his shoulders, and finished the cheer with the rest of the group.  With tears in her eyes, Addie’s mom expressed, “It made her feel better knowing her dad is out there serving, and it made me feel so grateful to this kind young man who took the time to make her feel special.  Her dad and I are so thankful for his thoughtful kindness.”

 

In 2022, Kristen Palmer’s son, Karson, was looking for a senior project to complete.  He decided to gift every girl in his school a rose on Valentine’s Day.  Three years later, his younger brother chose to do the same.  

 

Whether it’s our first chance, or God gives a second chance, may we choose to do good works.

 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Responding

Shane decided to make a quick stop at Costco before heading home for the day.  After loading his truck, he returned his cart to the cart stall.  That’s when he noticed another abandoned cart and retrieved it.  Passing two other carts, he pulled them as well.  There were four other carts, but they were further away.  He sensed that he should get them, but decided with it raining and cold he would leave them.  On the way home, Shane felt like he hadn’t completed his mission.  A few weeks later, Shane was in the same parking lot.  This time it was dark, late, and almost closing time.  The rain was blowing sideways and it was windy, with freezing temperatures.  Because of the conditions, there were more than the usual number of carts left in the parking lot.  This time, Shane decided to obey the still small voice to get them all to the return area.  He even untangled the carts that had crashed together and took the flatbed carts back to the store.  Shane responded, “I have no idea why God asked me to put the carts away.  I only know he asked me.  That part I am sure of.”  He thought that maybe it was to lighten the load for the worker assigned to that task or a way for God to show that he was looking out for them.  Shane challenged, “If God can’t trust us with His small jobs how can He ever trust us with His big ones.”

The Israeli women played the Kenyan team in the Women’s Lacrosse World Championship Games in Ontario, Canada.  It didn’t take long for the Israeli women to notice that their opponents were at a disadvantage because they were playing without cleats.  After the game, the Israeli team met up with the tournament officials and came up with a plan.  The next day the two teams met again and each member of the Kenyan team was given a brand-new pair of cleats.  The joy was contagious.  The Kenyan girls went on to win their game the next day against Belgium 16-9.  They thanked the Israeli women for their help in providing the needed shoes.  “The support from all around the world for our African Queens is priceless and hugely humbling.  The attention on and off the pitch for these players is more than all the nations competing combined…and rightly so.”

 

Chris and Tara Carter were driving home with their children, Kylie and Gage.  Suddenly Chris turned the jeep around.  After pulling over, he got out and asked Tara to take the groceries home and then come back to get him.  They watched as Chris took the push mower from an elderly gentleman and began to mow his grass for him.  Tara responded, “I pray that my son learns from this and randomly helps people do things like his father does.”

 

May we, too, be quick to look for, find, and respond to opportunities.

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34-35

Think on These Things

 

"Where you start

doesn't determine

where you end up.”

~ Deandre Hopkins

 

 

“If there’s breath left in you,

there’s purpose.”

~ Jody McBrayer

 

 

“Never

measure your

progress using

someone else’s ruler.”

~ Jeanne Nyiramwiza

 

 

A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING

BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE.

(THIS ISN’T ABOUT CANDLES.)

~ James Keller

 

 

“Right is right, even if

everyone is against it,

and wrong is wrong, even if

everyone is for it.”

~ William Penn

 

 

“In the book of Mark, Jesus

healed a paralyzed man

because of his friends’ faith.

Your circle of friends matter.”

~ purposeful women

 

 

“SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO QUIT

SOMETHING GOOD TO MAKE

ROOM FOR SOMETHING GREAT.”

~ Bob Goff

 

 

“Your words will tell others

what you think.

Your actions will tell them

what you believe.”

~ T.D. Jakes

 

 

“The capacity to learn

is a gift;

the ability to learn

is a skill;

the willingness to learn

is a choice.”

~ Brian Herbert

 

 

“Your future is

created by what

you do today,

not tomorrow.”

~ Robert Kiyosaki

 

 

“I love a person

who walks through life

like they’re stitching

the world back together,

one act of kindness at a time.”

~ Case Kenny

 

 

“The person you will be in five

years depends largely on the

information you feed your

mind today. Be picky about the

books you read, the people you

spend your time with, and the

conversations you engage in.”

~ Rubin Chavez

 

 

And after thinking, may we make the changes needed and put into practice what we know to do.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

 

Part of the Good

 

Due to a rare genetic disorder, 2-year-old Cillian Jackson cannot walk and needs a wheelchair to get around.  Ideally, he needed an electric wheelchair, but his parents didn’t have the extra $20,000 for one and insurance had denied it as an option.  That’s when the Farmington High School Robotics Team in Minnesota accepted the challenge to help.  While researching the project, the students contacted University of Delaware’s GoBabyGo program, since they specialize in mobility devices for children.  They were able to use some of their plans, plus the base of a Power Wheels car, to make an electric wheelchair.  In addition, the group found ways to customize the chair, work out a plan for steering, and change some of the electronics to make it fit Cillian’s needs.  Right before Christmas, the Robotics Team gave the electric wheelchair to Cillian.  His parents commented, “It has been a true game-changer.  It has given Cillian the freedom to explore and discover his surroundings in ways he never could before.”

Marcus Nauman attends Folwell Elementary School, in Minnesota.  Because of Down Syndrome, Marcus sometimes deals with things differently.  This particular day, like other days, he did not want to go back inside after recess.  Seeing what was happening, five fifth graders convinced Marcus he should not have to walk back, but should be carried in on a throne.  The students locked arms, resembling a chair, and carried King Marcus inside the school to his classroom.  The big smile and laughter made the mission a success for Marcus, the boys, and teachers.  Casie Nauman saw a picture of her son being carried like a king.  She expressed, “This means the world to me.  Their kindness and leadership will take them far.  I’m so touched by this; there are beautiful things happening all the time.  We just need to keep our eyes open.”

 

Marv’s wife passed away.  To help with loneliness, he spends most of his days drinking coffee, at the Starbucks on Main Street in Edmonds, and visiting with people.  At night, he spends time painting vases.  Every morning, Marv fills several vases with flowers, drives to Starbucks, and begins another day of drinking coffee, visiting, and giving away the beautiful vases filled with flowers.  To date, he has gifted over 1,200 vases to customers.  On this particular day, Marv asked Kenna Bangerter’s husband if he could give her a vase of flowers.  He smiled and said, “I always ask the husbands.”

 

This week, may we also be part of doing and being the good.

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22