Helpers in Action

 

Edith Campen Johnson recently made 25 dozen cookies for the Baptist Student Ministry at the University of West Florida to give to students on the first day of classes.  At 86 years of age, Mrs. Johnson is still finding ways to serve her Lord and Savior.

On Tuesday of this week, some members of the Buffalo Police Department saw a young student trying to ride his bike to school.  The pedal had fallen off and he was trying to stick objects in the socket so he could make it to school on time.  Captain Beyer gave Nyejay a ride to school and told him they would try to fix his bike.  That afternoon, the department surprised Nyejay with a new bicycle and CIT Lieutenant Turello gave him a lock to keep it safe.  In the meantime, Lieutenant Exum is repairing the old bike to give to one of Nyejay’s relatives.

 

Kayla Kondziolka was on her way home from work when her car had a flat.  A young man stopped to help.  Even though he was wearing a white sweatshirt, he insisted on changing the tire.  After the spare was put on, Kayla tried to pay the young man for his assistance, but he refused.

 

Blake Bastin was at a Little League baseball game in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when the grandfather of one of the players had a health scare.  The game took a break while the adults and emergency personnel were caring for the man.  Bastin, pastor at Crossings Community Church, took note that the group of 9 and 10-year-old boys had formed a circle in the grass, were holding hands, and praying.  They didn’t know what was happening, what could be done, or how long it would be, but they knew that praying was what would make a difference and what they needed to do.  Bastin concluded, “This is the faith we all should have.  Like a child who comes to a loving father.  We don’t have all the answers.  We aren’t sure what to do.  We may be afraid.  And we sense in these moments, we are powerless… so we turn to Him.  And our loving father listens and delights in our prayer.  Thank you for the lesson boys.”

 

Whether it’s baking, repairing something, gifting a needed item, offering a prayer, or a plethora of other options, may our deeds and actions be the love and light of Jesus this week.

 

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22

 

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