Good Deeds

 

Chris Blaze was in need of a washer and dryer.  Instead of purchasing new ones, he found a set being sold by an individual.  Since he was a new father with additional expenses, Chris asked the seller if he would be willing to take $400 for the set instead of $500.  David said he would accept the offer.  Once he arrived at home, Chris unloaded the washer and dryer, hooked them up, and tested them.  Both worked properly.  Clint then checked the lint filter and found a note that said, “Check the dryer, a gift for the new baby.”  Upon opening the door, he found his $400 had been returned. 

A man drove up to the hardware store to make some purchases.  Before getting out of his car, he noticed two kids walking their bikes, in the rain, because one of the bikes was broken.  A worker from the store also noticed the situation and went out to see if he could be of assistance to the boys.  After about 5 minutes, and drenched from the rain, the man had fixed the bicycle and the boys went happily on their way.

 

Connie Sweet, of Griffin, Georgia, had been shopping with her 17-year-old nephew.  They were in the car and ready to leave when Senquavious Driver noticed an older lady having difficulty getting onto the sidewalk.  Driver asked his aunt to stop and please let him go offer to help her.  The 81-year-old lady was most eager to accept his assistance.  Senquavious escorted the woman into the store, helped her collect the items she was shopping for, and then assisted her back into her car.  The lady continued to thank the young man again and again for his help.  Connie Sweet commented, “I have an awesome nephew.  I pray to God he continues to do great things in his life.”

 

At her 11-year-old son’s request, Josette Duran has been making a lunch with two sandwiches, two bags of chips, two pieces of fruit, and two drinks since the first couple of weeks of school.  Thinking her son might be going through a growth spurt, Josette asked if he was getting enough to eat.  Dylan explained, “It’s for this boy.  He only eats a fruit cup for lunch.  Can you make him lunch too?  I don’t think he has lunch money.”  After further checking, it was found that Dylan’s friend’s family needed help.  The single mom had lost her job and could not afford the school lunches.  Duran recalled that a few years ago she and Dylan had been homeless, living in a car, washing him in bathrooms, with no money for food.  Since Josette now had a job and stable home life, she was pleased that she and her son could help.

 

May we, too, seize the opportunity to do good deeds.

 

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

 

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

With Thanks Giving and Living

 

Thanksgiving isn't

just a day…

It’s a way we can live

our lives every day.

~ Katrina Mayer

 

 

I will give thanks today because

our problems aren’t forever

but His love is.

 

I will give thanks today because

our feelings don’t change

who He is.

 

I will give thanks today because

to Know God

is to Thank God.

~ Ann Voskamp.com

 

 

 

This is the season when we tend to be intentional about giving thanks.  From things written on the tail fathers of a turkey made by a child, on a list of gratitude from A to Z, in songs or poems sung or quoted, and in prayers offered, we have opportunities to acknowledge those people and things for which we are grateful. 

 

Not only should our gratitude be listed, but also expressed.  Especially during this busy season, may we be quick to notice and take time to say thank you through our words, notes, gifts, and actions.  And we will never run out of reasons to thank God.  May our continual expressions of thanks giving spill over into thanks living. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

     his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

 

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

 

I will praise God’s name in song

     and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

     and his courts with praise;

     give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15, 17

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thought Filled Actions

 

You were

created

to make a

difference

 

A young boy, from Ohio, was caught on a security camera at a home on Halloween.  The video shows the child walking up the steps to the porch, looking in the unmanned candy bowl, and noticing that it was empty.  After standing there for a few seconds, he reaches into his bag, grabs a handful of candy, puts it in the empty bowl, and jogs off to catch up with friends.

Once a week a lady pays the order for the car behind her in the drive thru.  Recently, her son came home from school and mentioned to his mom that he had paid for the lunch of the boy behind him at school.  erHer

 

As a customer was arriving to shop at Target, she noticed a family with a sleeping baby going into the store.  Apparently, the man on the motorcycle noticed, too.  As he was leaving, he rolled his bike out of the parking spot and waited for the family to be a good distance away before starting and revving his motorcycle.

 

Whenever a shopper notices a cashier having a rough day, she looks at the candy section and mentions she can’t decide on which candy to get.  She asks the cashier, “What is your favorite?” and then picks the named item up to put in her cart.  After checking out, the lady tells the checker that they are doing a good job, wishes them a great day, and hands them their choice of candy.

 

Rob Kenney lives in Chicago.  He has a Youtube channel, “Dad how do I?”  that instructs boys, teenagers, and young men on how to do everyday tasks, since some might be missing a father figure.  Kenney grew up without a dad and knows the importance of sharing “Dadvice” with guys who need help and instruction in a safe environment.

 

The 2021 New York Marathon took place on November 7, 2021.  There were approximately 33,000 people who ran from Staten Island to Central Park in Manhattan.  With less than 200 meters left in the race, a runner collapsed.  Three other runners quickly came to help.  Two of the participants each took an arm and helped the man as he struggled to run.  The third man ran behind him to encourage the oncoming runners to run around the man.  As they passed the man, you could see and hear runners clapping and yelling words of encouragement.  Because three men were willing to sacrifice their own individual race times, the man was able to cross the Finish Line.

 

In this busy Holiday Season, may we take the time to stop, see, think, and act in ways that encourage, uplift, and help others.

 

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9-10

 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13