Being Like Jesus

“True Christian humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” C. S. Lewis Mere Christianity

Maggie Ballard and her son Paxton Burns, age 6, live in Riverside, Kansas.  In October, seeing a need in their community, the mother and son installed a “Blessing Box” in their front yard.  The large 2-shelved box is painted bright red, with a clear covering on the front, and is mounted on a wooden post.  Inside the box are soap, noodles, canned goods, pancake mix, along with other toiletries and food items.  There is a printed note on the front which states:  “Take a blessing when you need one.  Leave [a] blessing when you can.”

Since items are taken daily, every morning before school and every evening, Paxton checks the box and refills it.  People in the community have donated money and are constantly leaving items on the front porch to add to the box.  The “Blessing Box” has far exceeded their expectations.  Other people are now looking into adding the boxes as well.

In November, Shlomo Rechnitz, a California businessman, had a layover at Shannon Airport in Ireland on his way to Israel.  While waiting inside the terminal he noticed 400 U. S. soldiers sitting on the floor eating from lunch bags while civilians, some whom they were in the military to protect, were dining in the fine bistros.  Rechnitz decided he wanted to do something about the situation.  First he offered heartfelt words of appreciation to the soldiers thanking them for voluntarily serving in the military and for risking their lives in order to keep us safe at home.  Then Shlomo Rechnitz bought a hot meal for all 400 soldiers.

Besides just talking, Maggie Ballard, Paxton Burns, and Shlomo Rerchnitz saw a need and did something to help remedy the situation.  They didn’t wait for a committee to be formed, for others to offer to help in the process, or to be interviewed about their intentions before they acted.  They set into motion what their hearts felt.  What a difference we would make in our world if we were willing to do the same.

Lord, help us to see with your heart and eyes, hear with your ears, and respond like Jesus would.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4