Easing the Load

Bell Sanchez, from Alvin, Texas, is constantly finding ways to love, serve, and bless others in her church, the schools, college, and community.  Not only does Bel get involved, but she invites others to join her.  Before school started, she helped gather and distribute backpacks and supplies.  One of her recent ventures is to ask people to provide Kleenex for the nurse, music, art, P.E., computer, and other specialty teachers at the elementary and junior high schools.  Since these people don’t have homerooms, the money for this item is usually purchased by the nurse and teachers with their own money.  Bel offers to go and collect the items, if needed.  Even if you don’t have a child or grandchild to deliver the boxes of Kleenex, you could give them to a child in your neighborhood or at the bus stop to take to their school.  That way you will be teaching them to be part of the giving process, too.

Just as football practice was over for the day, an elderly lady and her young grandchildren were walking by the football field, carrying heavy bags full of groceries.  A lady was approaching to offer a ride when several of the St. Augustine High football players ran over to retrieve the bags.  Even though they were hot and tired, the players carried the purchases the five blocks to the lady’s house.

Heather Burke-Cody had finished shopping for some dorm items.  There were six people in front of her in the checkout line.  It seemed that the cashier got madder and more frustrated with each customer.  When she had to get a price check of an unmarked item, she was not the least bit happy about the inconvenience.  Heather felt a little tingle and nudge in her spirit and felt like Jesus was letting her know that the extra money in her wallet was for the cashier.  She thought surely that wasn’t right, but after a few moments knew that God wouldn’t lead her astray.  Heather paid for her items.  When the cashier handed her the receipt, she gave her the money that was in the back of her wallet as a gift.  The cashier was shocked and stood there with the money clasped between her two hands.  The lady asked her, “Why?” to which Heather responded, “Soul nudge.”  The lady grabbed Heather’s hands and quietly told her, “Today’s my 75th birthday and ain’t nobody called me.  Not my sister.  Not none of my kids.  None these people here.  Nobody.  Nothing.  I don’t think I can remember ever being so sad.  Ain’t nobody even remembered it’s my birthday.”  Heather replied, “Somebody remembered.”  She knew that Jesus had seen the lady and gave her a nudge to see her, too.  Heather commented, “The birthday news had made its way beside me and two more customers connected.  Talk is cheap and words seem too few – until they aren’t.  There was a small chorus of chirping happy birthdays.  She just stood there, patting her heart and taking it all in.  The words penetrated.  Anger dissipated.  Hope manifested.  The tingle became tangible.”

 

May we, too, look for and find ways to ease the load for others.  Sometimes it’s as simple as giving a box of Kleenex.  And may our Jesus tingles and nudges become tangible.

 

 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:35

 

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

Colossians 3:12