Patrick McCarty is a senior at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, near Kansas City. As an infant, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. This year Patrick has been the Team Manager for the varsity basketball team. Without his knowing, the team members met with the coach and decided it would be a great way to honor and thank Patrick for his help by letting him wear a uniform for the last game. Before going out on the court for Senior recognition night, the coach handed McCarty the #33 jersey and shorts and said the guys had chosen him to be the Team Captain for the game. Another surprise was that the coach planned to put Patrick in at the end of the game, no matter whether they were ahead or behind in the score. As #33 entered the game, for the very first time as a player, there were lots of cheers. Patrick strategically stood a few feet in front of the basket. When he was passed the ball, he carefully aimed, shot, and made the last basket of the game. Both teams surrounded Patrick, patted him on the back, cheered, and congratulated him.
Cashiers sometimes have a less than enjoyable job. They are on their feet all day and sometimes deal with impatient customers. But there are times where cashiers make a pleasant experience out of a less-than-ideal situation. Lauren Walker was shopping with her young son, Alistair, at the M&S store in Glasgow, Scotland. Already tired, Alistair began fretting. By the time they reached the checkout line, he was pitching a fit. Cashier Mubarak Ahmad had an idea. He asked Lauren if he could hold her son while he scanned her items. Alistair was fascinated with the beeping and movement of the groceries and began to settle down. By doing more than expected, Mubarak made shopping a better experience for Alistair and his mom.
A few weeks ago, Mr. Green and his wife, Sofia, stopped at Arby’s, in Sun City, Arizona, to eat a quick dinner. There were several people in the lines. They noticed an older man and his wife placing their order. The man was wearing a cap with “Marines” on the back. His hands were shaking as he slowly counted out change for one $6 special to share with his wife. Seeing this, Green quickly cut the line. He placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and said, “Semper Fi Marine. Thank you for your service. This is on me.” Placing a $20 bill on the counter, Green had them add other items to their order. The couple was teary eyed, as were the other people waiting in line to place their order. After getting their meal, Green noticed that the older couple, Rick and Margaret, had saved a place at their table for them. “What started out as a quick evening meal ended up being an hour and a half long dinner engagement. I learned that he had slugged it out on both Saipan and later on Iwo Jima as a 19-year-old, with Purple Hearts from both actions. For me, some days don’t get better than this.”
May we all take time to reach out to invest in and help others.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
