Saturday, June 15, 2019

Responding to Responsibilities


Curtis Jenkins is a bus driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School in Dallas, Texas.  According to Principal Emily Gruninger, Jenkins goes over and above what is expected of a driver and treats the children on his bus “like a family.”   Curtis responded, “These are my children.  These are my community.  I love ‘em all.” Jenkins gives responsibilities to everyone.  One is an administrative assistant to the President, some are police officers, while others hold different positions.  He teaches the children to care for each other and love and respect each other.  Throughout the year he gives gifts to the students.  Each one is handpicked specifically for the receiving child.  He once gave a T-shirt to a girl with a picture from the book she had written.  “I’m hoping this T-shirt inspires her to keep on writing books.  Jenkins gives food, backpacks, bicycles, and anything else his kids might need.  When asked about Curtis, the students rarely mention the gifts.  Their main response is, “He really cares about us and he’s really kind.”  Ethan commented, “My mom got divorced when I was only 4.  He’s the father that I always wanted.  In some ways, I wish my dad could have been like that.”

Recently, a police officer in Kingsland, Georgia, was directing traffic for a high school graduation.  He noticed one of the graduates struggling to properly tie his tie on the way to the ceremony.  Between traffic stops, he helped the young man fix his tie.

Ryan Kirkpatrick is 9 years old and lives in Napa, California.  Towards the end of the school year Ryan was concerned about the third-grade students at West Park Elementary School who couldn’t afford school lunches.  Although the district policy states that all students will receive a hot lunch, no matter what they owe, Ryan asked his mother, Kylie, to find out how much was owed.  Ryan used his allowance money to pay the $74.50 debt.  He responded, “I want them to realize people actually think about them because you’re not just bragging about stuff.  I want them to feel happy someone cares about them.”

May we too williingly respond to the opportunities we are given this week.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.
James 1:22

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16

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