"Alexa..."

Our sons are very thoughtful in helping us keep up with technology and other items that they think will make life easier or more enjoyable for us.  Thus, a few years ago Larry and I received an Alexa for a Christmas gift.  Now, at a moment’s notice, we can ask and find out the temperature at home or elsewhere, find answers to questions, and hear songs played by a favorite artist or radio station.  It also means I can easily listen to Christmas music all year long.  The boys have also set up Alexa to have the lights turned on/off on command as well as the thermostat changed to the desired temperature.  It amazes me that people have programmed a way for Alexa to produce the answer to an inquiry in a split second.

A few Alexa observations…

* Speaks in a pleasant and respectful voice

* Admits when she does not know the answer

* Consistent with responses

* Patient with repeated requests

* Saves time and effort when checking temperature and other trivia

* Responds with head knowledge, but not heart and feelings

* Can play a song or recite information within seconds

* Gives without asking for or expecting anything in return

Before any of the above happens, one must speak Alexa’s name and wait for the light ring to display that one has her attention before asking a question or making a request.  It made me wonder how often God calls my name and respectfully waits for me to acknowledge Him so He can reveal the beneficial information I need in order to respond to a situation or opportunity.  Unlike Alexa, God is always ready to hear, respond at a moment’s notice, and knows the answer to everything.

I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.

Psalm 120:1

When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Psalm 138:3

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

Heart Tugs

Recently a middle schooler in Olathe, Kansas approached Principal Dr. Sarah Guerrero about an idea he and two of his friends had to make Valentine’s Day special for the 270 girls and 70 women on the staff at their school.  After receiving permission, eighth-grader Tristan Valentine, seventh-grader Kyan Rice, and sixth-grader Lincoln Homes used their own money to buy a flower for every female at Summit Trail Middle School.  On February 14th, the young men arrived at school early, stood at different entrances at the school, and handed a carnation and wished a “Happy Valentine’s Day” to every woman and young lady as they entered the building. 

When later interviewed by KMBC Tristan Valentine expressed that they “wanted every girl to feel important and special on Valentine’s Day.”  Principal Guerrero said it was “refreshing to see three young men go out of their way to make others feel happy.”  She “got chills seeing it happen” and the positive impact it was having on the school.  One girl told the principal, “I didn’t used to like to go to school on Valentine’s Day, but I loved it today.” 

Ruby Kate Chitsey is an 11-year-old fifth-grader from Harrison, Arkansas.  Her mother is a nurse practitioner in five nursing homes around the area.  When she can, Ruby Kate enjoys going with her mother so she can visit the residents.  One afternoon she noticed that one lady was sad because a friend had brought a dog to visit and she didn’t know when they would be able to come visit again.  That gave Ruby Kate an idea.  She found an old spiral and started a project called “Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents.”

Most of the elderly people in nursing homes rely on Medicaid.  After covering room and board and their medical needs the patients have about $40 to spend on anything else.  Ruby Kate began to interview the residents and record their three wishes.  It was interesting that none requested big or expensive items.  Instead, people asked for pants that fit, fresh fruit, good books, haircuts, gifts for their grandchildren, and occasionally food from an outside source.  For the dementia patients Ruby listed life like baby dolls for the residents to hold.  Ruby Kate and her mother also noticed people could benefit from better quality pillows, lumbar pillows for people in wheelchairs, heavier blankets, and extra snacks.

Ruby Kate’s mother also enlisted 74-year-old Marilyn Spurlock to help out with the wish program at the facility where she lives.  Marilyn was at the point where she felt worthless, depressed, and like she couldn’t help anyone.  Now she goes into the hub area, interviews her fellow residents, and is excited to see their needs fulfilled.  Amanda Chitsey is hoping to expand this program to other nursing homes as well.  She has helped set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for the wishes.  Amanda states, “I think Ruby’s starting a movement – recognizing a need and just doing something about it.  This is about their quality of life – bringing them joy.”

May we, too, choose to make a difference this week by taking the opportunity to be givers when heart tugs occur.

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

John 13:35

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13

Created for Good Works

Garrin Davis recently discovered that due to a stroke his 32-year old neighbor was in need of a wheelchair ramp.  Within days, Davis used resources from his construction company and built a ramp for her front porch.

On Friday, Kim Conway baked sugar cookies and took them to the assisted living home close to where she lives.  Friends Karen Payne and Christine Palermo joined her for the adventure.  The baking club ladies, who reside at the assisted living home, had a great time frosting and decorating the cookies which they shared with the other residents that afternoon.

An eighth grade teacher in the greater Boston area volunteers to wash uniforms for the economically disadvantaged students in her classes whose parents cannot afford to do so at times.  Not wanting her students to skip school or be embarrassed to attend class in smelly or dirty uniforms, she offers to do their laundry when needed.  She takes the clothing home, washes, and then returns them to the students the next day.

Lenny, 84 years old, runs a store in Falls River, Massachusetts.  As the temperature turns colder, he ties scarves around the poles in front of his place of business for people to take if they are in need of a scarf to keep warm.  Lenny’s son, Mike, started this service a few years before he died of cancer.  His father is continuing the tradition, along with other people who are supplying additional scarves.  The gift of scarves is already making a difference in their community.  Lenny says, “If I do good in life, I want to do good for someone else.  I think one, it helps them to keep warm, two he knows there is people out there that’s willing to sacrifice something to give to them.”  Lenny is adding warmth to his town in more ways than one.

Last week in Lomira, Wisconsin, the temperature, including the wind chill factor, reached a -60 degrees.  The Lomira High School coach, wrestling team, and Booster Club President Jamie Feucht spent their snow day holiday helping neighbors dig out of their homes by shoveling the snow from their driveways and sidewalks.

Rosie Griest, 89, was driven to a doctor’s appointment in Orlando, Florida, by her 100-year-old husband, David.  On their way home, they stopped at a gas station to go to use the restroom.  As they were returning to the car, a police officer noticed they were tired and very slow in getting back to their car.  Before Officer Kanesha Carnegie could step in to help, three young men, who had been inside purchasing snacks, rushed out of the doors to assist them.  Officer Carnegie began videoing the men patiently helping Rose walk to the car, get in their SUV, and buckling her in.  The three men were Orlando-based rappers Joe Koe Stoe, Marty, and Freddy G.  When interviewed, Marty told the Fox 5 reporter, “I kept thinking, ‘She could have been my grandmother.’”

Sometimes it’s difficult for men with dementia to go to a barbershop, so Lenny runs a popup shop in dementia care homes in Belfast, Ireland.  Realizing that emotional memory tends to last the longest, Lenny offers the popup shops so the men can have an experience that they can associate with their younger years.  The makeshift barber shop room is first sprayed with lemon cologne.  Then Lenny plugs in the jukebox and plays songs from their era for the men to listen to while he gives shaves and haircuts. 

Knowing that we were created for good works, may we be willing to go and do likewise.

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

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24