Gifts of the Heart and Time

 

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, 

is ever wasted.”

~ Aesop

 

Last Wednesday, Claire and Tom Richardson ate a late dinner at Cracker Barrel.  As they were finishing their meal, they noticed an elderly lady sitting by herself, drinking a glass of milk, and waiting for her food.  Since it was almost 8:00 p.m., they wondered if she had family or friends that would be joining her.  Their attention was then drawn to three big, middle-aged, blue-collar men eating at a nearby table.  They too had noticed the lady and invited her to join them at their table.  The woman began to smile, her face lit up, and she began to chatter as if it was the first conversation she had been part of in a while.  As they were leaving, Tom left some money for the group’s meal and thanked the men for restoring his faith in humanity.  Although Claire took a picture, she knew she wouldn’t need it to remind her of this special moment.

 

As Trooper Luke Bonin, of the Massachusetts State Police, was leaving court, he drove past a woman panhandling on the side of the road.  The mother of four had a sign and was asking for money and help.  After going a little further, Trooper Bonin stopped at a restaurant and bought two meals.  He drove back to where the woman was standing.  She was afraid of what was about to happen.  Bonin quickly assured her that he was not making her leave or arresting her.  Instead, Bonin gave her a choice of which meal she wanted.  Then he sat down on the bumper of his car and talked with her while they ate.  Trooper Bonin was not expecting to be noticed, praised, or recognized for his deed, but a passerby took a picture and posted it.  Trooper Bonin was commended for doing the “right thing.”

 

Before the birth of their first child, Robbie and David Fielder were intent on preparing to be good parents.  They attended the childbirth classes at Woman’s Hospital and practiced the techniques they learned in class on dolls.  Even with education, there was still a bit of nervousness of doing the procedures correctly on their baby.  The Fielders were in a Sunday School class with Molly and Don Allen.  Molly is a nurse, and had recently had her third child.  She helped answer questions.  About a month before the Fielders baby was due, Molly invited Robbie and David over and let them practice what they were learning on their baby.  They spent time changing diapers, giving a bath, cutting fingernails and toenails, suctioning the baby’s nose, and swaddling.  What a gift to help provide confidence, hopeful anticipation, and real-life training for soon to be first time parents.  And Molly offered the opportunity to other first-time parents as well.

 

May we, too, have hearts that are quick to give of our time and resources.

 

 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:10

 

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

 

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 3:17