Saturday, February 12, 2022

Doing the Extra

 

Courtney Potts, from Columbia, Tennessee, was stranded on the side of the road, after taking a curve in the road and her tire having a blowout,.  Since she had her small children with her, she knew it would be difficult to change the tire herself.  Courtney was standing on the side of the road, trying to figure out who to call and what to do when a man pulled over in his truck and offered to help.  When the man stepped out of his truck and spoke, Courtney immediately recognized country music singer and songwriter Luke Bryan, one of the most awarded country artists.  Potts called her stepdad and explained, “My tire is being changed by a country superstar.”  She continued, “If there is one stereotype about the south that is a good thing, it’s that everyone is especially nice.”

Belong Kitchen is a neighborhood grab-n-go kitchen in Houston, Texas.  Founded by Kim Brown, the kitchen employs adults with developmental and intellectual differences.  They offer family-sized meals from a weekly rotating menu.  Their motto is “Special people making special food.”  On Wednesday, Ellie Brown, daughter of Kim and an employee at Belong Kitchen, spotted Jose Altuve at a nearby store.  She asked the All-Star second baseman for the Astros to sign her cap.  Since neither had a Sharpie, Altuve said he would come by work the next day and bring a Sharpie to grant her request.  As he was leaving, Ellie called out, “If you come, you better bring Correa with you!”

 

On Thursday, Ellie was working the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift at Belong Kitchen.  Much to her delight, at 11:30 Altuve and Astros shortstop Carlos Correa walked in.  The players came with autographed baseballs for the staff and they had a signed bat for Ellie.  Then Altuve and Correa took pictures with the employees and volunteers.  In turn, the two athletes were gifted with Belong Kitchen hats, T-shirts, and dinner to take with them.

 

“We are so grateful they would take time out of their busy schedules to do this for Ellie and our employees,” stated Brown.  “So many people in this town look up to the Astros, and these two stars gave our kitchen the memories of a lifetime.  Ours is a group of society that’s often overlooked.  So, it’s wonderful Jose and Carlos made the effort to make an impact.  It won’t ever be forgotten.”

 

It wasn’t in their job descriptions.  It wasn’t their responsibility.  It wasn’t for publicity.  Luke Bryan, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa chose to give of their time and effort to help meet needs and encourage others.  May we be willing to do the same.

 

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

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

Colossians 3:12

 

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

 

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