Gifts of Service

Dalton Medley and Collin Carrell, teenagers from Satsuma, Alabama, were enjoying the afternoon riding their bikes. As they rode down 7th Street, police officers stopped them and asked that they be on the lookout for 77-year-old Kathryn Whitney, who was missing. Since she was dealing with dementia, her family was very worried about her. Dalton and Collin purposefully set out to find Mrs. Whitney. It wasn’t long before the young men noticed an older lady sitting in a rocking chair on a back patio. They stopped and went to speak with her. Realizing it was the missing lady, the boys notified the police then stayed until the officers arrived. The house camera revealed that Mrs. Whitney had been sitting there for an hour and a half. Because two teenagers were entrusted and encouraged to help, Mrs. Whitney was found and reunited with her family. 

Sadie Hutson, 12, is on the lookout for stuffed animals, even if they are worn. Living in Dobson, North Carolina, Sadie and her mom frequent thrift stores and garage sales to purchase stuffed animals. That’s when the second chance begins. The toys are washed, repaired, and restuffed. The local Red Cross is known for giving stuffed animals to children who are dealing with the tragedy of losing their home to a fire. The Red Cross office was running low so Jon McCollum, a former firefighter, asked the community for help. After hearing the request, Sadie quickly packed up 114 stuffed animals and donated them for the children. She continues to purchase, rescue, repair, and give away stuffed animals to children who need something soft to hold during a time of crisis.

 

Jacob McPeake, from Gloucester, England, is 11. He recently had three grandparents who fought through cancer treatments. During that time, Jacob made the decision to grow out his blonde hair so wigs could be made for children who lost their hair during cancer treatments. Jacob was often bullied because of the length of his hair. Several times he was tempted to have his hair cut, in order to stop the teasing, but he remembered his purpose. The day finally arrived when Jacob could have his hair cut the 18 inches needed to make wigs for children who were losing their hair. He also raised 1230 pounds, $1,625, to help with the project.

 

May we, too, find joy in using the gifts God has given us to bless and serve others.

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

 

Wise Choices

 

"Small steps every day

lead to big changes.”

~ Jasmine

 

 

“Sometimes it ends up

different

and it’s better that way.”

~ Sue May-Dumele

 

 

“Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember.

Involve me and I learn.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

 

 

“Do what you can,

with what you’ve got,

where you are.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

“The will of God

will not take us

where the grace of God

cannot sustain us.”

~ Billy Graham

 

 

“For anything to be good, truly good,

there must be love in it. Whether the art is

sculpture, farming, teaching, lawmaking, medicine,

music, or raising a child – nothing is what it’s

supposed to be if love is not at the core.”

~ Allen Levi

 

 

“There’s something beautiful

about looking around at your

very ordinary life and thinking,

God, You’ve been so good to me.”

~ Maryanne

 

 “God grant me the serenity

to accept the things

  I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.”

~ Reinhold Niebuhr

 

 

“There is always a reason to

complain and always a reason to

be grateful. They live side by side,

every single day. The one you

feed is the one that grows.”

~ Onome Festus

 

 

                                         “Inclusion isn’t just inviting

someone to sit at your table.

It’s believing they belong there.”

~ Mia Carella

 

 

 

May God give us wisdom to make choices to help us become more like him.

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

 

Selfless Compassion

 

As Harley Donworth, Finlay Hamilton, Jack Murphy, and Kaden Rocha were walking home from Magna Academy, they noticed 90-year-old Alan Stanyon stranded and not moving on his electric scooter. When the 14-year-olds stopped to check on the older man, they discovered that the battery had lost its charge. Dressed in their uniform suits, the young men pushed the heavy scooter over a mile to Mr. Stanyon’s house. It took over 3o minutes, and much effort, to reach their destination. Alan offered to pay the students, but they refused his offer. They wanted to help because it was needed.

Layla Lester, 5, and her mother were walking through Akron Falls Park, in western New York, when Layla noticed a beautiful princess wearing all white. Being autistic, Layla did not usually approach or speak to people she did not know, but this time she ran to get closer to Cinderella. That day, Olivia Spark was in the park having her bridal portraits taken. Instead of acting inconvenienced, Olivia knelt down, took Layla by the hands, and spent time talking with her. A week later, Olivia went to the park to see Layla again. She had made arrangements for a pumpkin carriage to arrive for a princess photo shoot for Layla. Photographer Nicole Witkins was there, once again, to capture another magical moment.

 

Rick Steves is the host of “Rick Steves’ Europe,” as well as a travel writer. He recently read an article about The Lynwood Hygiene Center in Washington State which provides services for people without a home. Those in need are welcomed to go there for a warm shower, eat a meal, wash and dry their clothes, and visit with a nurse. Recently, word spread that the land was to be sold and the services would end. Although Steves had never been to or seen The Lynwood Hygiene Center in person, he understood the loss it would be for the people who depended on the facility. He contacted the land owner and offered $2.25 million to purchase the property. The bid was accepted. Now there are no more threats to The Lynwood Hygiene Center closing. Mr. Steves read about a problem, knew he had the means to fix it, and did something about it.

 

Using our strength, effort, money, time, and possessions, we all have something to give and do that will help and encourage others.

 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10