Heroes of the Heart

 

Maria Andrejczyk, 25, is a cancer survivor.  In 2018, osteosarcoma cancer was detected which required surgery, but no chemotherapy.  After healing, Maria began training again in preparation for competitions.  During the recent 2021 Olympics in Japan, Polish javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk won the silver medal, with a throw of 64.61 meters.  In recent days, Maria had been reading posts about Miloszek, an 8-month-old boy with a serious heart defect which requires an operation.  His parents were raising money and making pleas to help with the $385,000 needed for medical care and transportation to Stanford University in California.  About half of the funds had been raised.  Even though Maria did not know the boy or his family, within two weeks after the Olympics, she decided to auction off her medal so Miloszek could have the lifesaving surgery.  Money offers had already exceeded the value of the silver medal, so Maria closed the auction so Miloszek’s parents could make immediate plans to fly to the United States.  The winning bidder was Zabka, a convenience store chain.  After Maria received the money for the bid, the people from Zabka would not accept the medal.  “We also decided that the silver medal from Tokyo will stay with Ms. Maria.”

 

Alana was waiting, somewhat impatiently, in line at a Walmart in Ankeny, Iowa.  She soon became aware of a commotion in front of her at the register.  An elderly man was asking, “Wait, what is happening?  What are you doing?”  A young man looked at the older gentleman and responded, “Sir, I’m paying for your items because you paid by serving my country and I’m grateful for you.”  He then had the cashier scan his credit card to pay for the items, thanked the man one more time, and left the store.  Trying hard to hold back the tears, he asked the cashier, “What do I do now?”  With a big smile she responded, “You have a good day!”  Alana said, “My heart welled as I watched our veteran readjust his Veteran ball cap, straighten up, and hold his head with pride as he walked out knowing someone was grateful for him.  That 20-second interaction didn’t just change the veteran’s day – it changed my day, as well as that cashier’s – because that 20 seconds showed us by looking up and slowing down – life is pretty beautiful and surely we can find something to be grateful for.”  And I agree, Alana, there were TWO heroes in the store that day.

 

Whether it’s planned in advance or spur of the moment, may we have hearts that hear and see a need and then respond.

 

 

Show me your ways, LORD,

     teach me your paths.

Psalm 25:4

 

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Toothpaste, Blocks, and Silver Boxes

Amy Beth Gardner’s daughter, Breonna, is entering middle school for the first time.  School supplies, clothes, and shoes have been purchased, and a new backpack is ready for the first day.  There had even been a trip to the school to organize and decorate her locker.  In order to make sure Breonna was prepared for the upcoming school year, there was one more lesson her mom wanted to teach.  Handing her daughter a tube of toothpaste, Amy Beth asked her to squirt as much of the toothpaste as she could onto the plate on the table.  When Breonna had completed the task, her mother asked her to now put the toothpaste back into the tube.  She tried, but was not making much progress.  Breonna expressed, “But I can’t!  It won’t be like it was before.”  Amy Beth patiently waited for her daughter to finish, as best she could, and then explained: “You will remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of your life.  Your words have the power of life or death.  As you go into middle school, you are about to see just how much weight your words carry.  You are going to have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, slander and wound others.  You are also going to have the opportunity to use your words to heal, encourage, inspire and love others.  You will occasionally make the wrong choice.  Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can’t take them back.  Use your words carefully.  When others are misusing their words, guard your words.  Make the choice every morning that life-giving words will come out of your mouth.  Decide tonight that you are going to be a life-giver in middle school.  Be known for your gentleness and compassion.  Use your life to give life to a world that so desperately needs it.  You will never, ever regret choosing kindness.”

 

One Sunday morning, author Florence Littauer was visiting a church in New England.  After being spotted by the pastor, he asked Florence if she would present a children’s sermon.  Since she had never given a children’s sermon she had to think quickly as she and the children were walking down the aisle.  Ephesians 4:29 came to mind: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  Phrase by phrase they talked about the meaning of the words and concepts of the scripture and the importance of not saying unkind words.  As Littauer reminded the children of the impact of their words, one boy said, “Our words should be like building blocks.”  As they talked about adding kind words, another boy commented, “And we shouldn’t go around and knock other people’s blocks down!”  Florence responded, “What a perfect picture!  Here’s a whole pile of good words, and then someone comes along with a negative remark and it knocks all the blocks down.”  Then a little girl stood up, faced the audience, and responded, “What she means is that our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top.”  Littauer concluded the sermon with, “What a beautiful thought!  Our words should be gifts to each other, little silver boxes with bows on top.”

 

What a difference it would make if we used our words to build others up and made sure they were gifts to those with whom we speak. 

 

 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

 

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

 

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

 

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:4

 

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

 

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:6

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

Faith, Love, Joy, Patriotism

 

With the Olympic athletes flying back home, it has been enjoyable to see them greeted at airports, in their hometowns, or at different locations as they arrive back in the U.S.  Several have been interviewed on television or through write-ups in newspapers and magazines.  Each Olympian has a story to tell.  One athlete, who endeared herself to so many during the games in Tokyo, Japan, continues to do so because of her faith, love for family, appreciation for coaches, joy, and patriotism.  After teaching at the same junior high, before he moved to the high school, I also have much respect for this athlete’s coach. 

 

Tamyra Mensah-Stock competed in track and field in junior high.  During her sophomore year at Morton Ranch High School, in Katy ISD, she was encouraged to be part of the wrestling team by Coach Mark Balser and her twin sister, Tarkyia, who had been on the team her freshman year.  Her future husband was also on the team.  With dedication, hard work, and discipline, Mensah-Stock won the State Finals in wrestling in 2009, and was the Texas Girls High School Champion in 2010 and 2011.  It was after an out-of-town wrestling meet that Tamyra’s father died in a car accident while on his way back home.  Tamyra wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue wrestling.  Coach Balser gave Tarkyia and Tamyrya “space to listen and love and support.”  He and his wife, Kelly, became like family to the sisters.  Balser was and continues to be an influence in her life.  After high school, Tamrya attended Wayland Baptist University and won National titles in 2014 and 2017.

 

Before the Olympics, Mensah-Stock told Faithwire, “It’s by the grace of God I’m even able to move my feet…I just leave it in His hands, and I pray that all the practice my coaches put me through pays off and every single time it does.”

 

After winning the gold medal in the woman’s 68-kilogram freestyle wrestling, Mensah-Stock formed a heart which she said represented her love for her family and everyone who encouraged her through the years, especially her dad.  She said, “He would have been the loudest one here.”  Even though family couldn’t be with her, she felt their support.  With the American flag held high in the air and then draped around her shoulders, with tears streaming down her face, Tamyra said, “I’m feeling very happy and I keep trying not to cry, but it keeps happening, but I’m crying with joy.”  She then joyfully shouted, “I love representing the U.S.  I freaking love living there.  I love it and am so happy I get to represent USA.  Love it.”

 

Asked by a reporter if she thought she would win the gold, Tamyra confidently responded, “I knew I could do it, when I started wrestling.  I knew I could be an Olympic champ.”  Mensah-Stock believes that confidence and prayer are vital to her victories.  “I knew I could do it.  I prayed I could do it.” 

 

When interviewed, after the gold medal was awarded, Coach Balser responded, “I am glad the world is getting to see the sunshine that is Tamyra Mensah-Stock.  She’s full of energy, full of life and full of love.  I am super proud as a Maverick, a Texan and an American that Tamyra Mensah-Stock represented Morton Ranch High School, the state of Texas and our wonderful country in the manner that she did.  In making the Olympic team and earning a gold medal she fulfilled a dream that started in our wrestling room years ago.”  He continued, “I am excited to see where this journey will take her and I am happy that America has gotten the opportunity to see the young lady that I have known all along, one that is grounded by faith, with her family and friends behind her and isn’t afraid to have fun and be herself.”

 

The U.S. Olympic Committee awards each gold medalist $37,500.  After seeing her dream come true, Mensah-Stock plans to give $30,000 to her mother to buy a food truck, so she, too, can live her dream.  When the people who work at Cruising Kitchens, in San Antonio, Texas, heard this, they knew it would cost $250,000 to build and equip the food truck.  Because of Tamyra’s gold medal performance, pride and excitement for the opportunity to compete for the USA, and her joy, the workers got together and decided they wanted to gift her mother with building her a new food truck.  They are accepting no outside funds for their gift.  The extra cash can now go towards food and other essentials needed to make a successful start.

 

After coming back to the U. S., Tamyra expressed that she wants to share the love and joy God has given her.  May we, too, strive to live our lives so full of a love for God that we overflow in confidence, joy, hope, a sweet spirit, appreciation and respect for those who come alongside to teach and help us, have a strong work ethic, and gratitude for getting to live in the USA.

 

 

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Corinthians 9:25

 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15