This past week, a snowstorm blanketed the northeast. Due to more snow predicted for the following days, it didn’t take long for Brian DeLallo, football coach at Bethel Park High School in Pittsburgh, to realize that the Monday after school weightlifting session would not be happening. Coach DeLallo sent out a tweet on Sunday to notify his players that their after-school workout would be cancelled. He then stated, “Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway. Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout.”
Team captain Gavin Moul, and his teammates, took the coach’s words to heart. Whether individually or in groups, they began offering help to their neighbors. Gavin reported that, “They’re surprised that we’re not taking money.” Some residents refused their help, since they would not accept payment, but other recipients were grateful for the offer and help.
The athletes also enjoyed their unusual workout request. Moul reflected, “I feel great about it and think we all feel great about it. It’s not only helping them, but it’s helping us to become a better team.”
Coach DeLallo has received much praise for his tweet to his players. He quickly gave credit for the idea to his predecessor and said he was “simply carrying on 1 of the many great traditions he established.” DeLallo continued, “You get a lot more out of this than ‘did you bench press 300 pounds today?’” “It’s a chance to connect with the community and you don’t get many of those, so this is nice.”
In another community, a mother took her three children to a nursing home. The children made snowmen and played on the front lawn, much to the delight of the residents and workers.
What wonderful ways and opportunities to serve and bless others. May we, too, look for ways to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus this week.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
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