Praise the Progress

 

The mother’s first thought, when she walked into the kitchen, was to start yelling.  The package of ham was on the table, as well as cheese slices still in the wrappers.  Mayonnaise was on the table, on the floor, and the jar had rolled onto the floor.  On the paper plate was a half-eaten sandwich with way too much meat and mayonnaise.  She grabbed a napkin to clean up the mess when she heard her son say, “I made it all by myself, Mommy.  Aren’t you proud of me?  I couldn’t get the cheese open so it’s just ham.”  Grateful that she had been slow to speak, she told him how proud she was of him and leaned down to give him a big hug.  Her paralyzed five-year-old had pulled himself up to get the items he needed to make his own sandwich.  The mom then showed her son how to unwrap the cheese slice, to make it easier for the next time, and how to wipe off the table.  She praised and focused on what he did right and taught in the process.

 

Later the mother wrote, “But I’ve been thinking about that messy, half-eaten sandwich, and how so much of our life is spent looking at other people’s messes.  We see the mess and overlook the progress.  We point out everything that was done wrong instead of praising what was done right.  If you only want people to make one sandwich, tell them how big their mess is.  If you want them to keep making sandwiches, tell them what they did right.”

 

 

This week, may we, too, be slow to speak, overlook the messes, and praise the progress.

 

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Be and Do the Good

 

A bus driver was driving the 205 service from CIT to Kent Station at 15:40.  At a stop, an elderly woman exited the bus and almost tripped.  After she was safely on the sidewalk, the driver noticed her shoe lace was untied and took a moment to tell her.  She nodded that she knew.  The driver then realized that the lady was unable to bend down to tie her shoe.  He got off of the bus and tied her shoe for her.  Clara O’Brien witnessed the kind deed and wrote a letter of commendation to the bus company.  She added, “He was so kind to her and went out of his way to look after a customer.  I haven’t seen someone do something so kind in as long as I can remember and the lady was so appreciative she blew a kiss as the bus was pulling away.  Your driver made my day.”

 

After a long overseas flight, Delilah Cassidy was awaiting her flight home. The airline had a new policy where one pays for carry-on luggage.  After consolidating all her bags, Delilah was told her bag was a little too big and charged her $50.  Her credit card was declined, due to the bank not realizing she was back from her travels in Europe.  Since the personnel would not accept cash, it was recommended that Delilah return to the ticket counter to pay.  She realized she would miss her flight if she did that.  Seeing her distraught, the man behind her in line told her he had it.  Delilah told the man she was fine and not to worry about it.  He handed the airline employee his credit card.  As she swiped the card, the man said, “Have a great flight and hop on board.”  Due to the man’s kindness, Delilah was tearing up as she boarded the plane.  She passed the man in first class and tried to give him cash to repay him.  The man shook his head no and told her to just pay it forward.  Delilah responded, “My heart is so happy.  There are good people in this world.  Be that person because I know that after this I sure will be.”  Delilah later found out the man who helped her is NFL player, Jermaine Gresham.

 

No matter how big or small, our gifts of encouragement, kindness, thoughtfulness, and time can make a difference for those we help.  And it might even inspire others in the process.

 

 

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

 

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

James 1:22

Bigger Than Football

 

Damar Hamlin often wears a cross on his cheeks in eye black to represent his faith in Jesus.  He states, “My faith is in God.  Whatever He has planned for me, that’ll be it.”

On Monday night, January 2, 2023, during the 1^st quarter of the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, we were once again reminded that life is bigger than football.  After a tackle, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, 24 years old, got up and then collapsed on the field, due to cardiac arrest.  The quick thinking and attention of assistant athletic trainer, Denny Kellington, administering CPR through resuscitation and defibrillation while waiting on the medical personnel and ambulance to arrive, helped save Damar’s life.

 RESPONSES:

* The Bengals team knelt together on the side of the field. 

* The Bills team surrounded the ambulance.   As the ambulance drove away, the team dropped to their knees and prayed.

* Fans from both teams were silent and remained in their seats.

* Joe Burrow and the Bengals captains went to the Bills locker room to let them know they had their support. 

* Bengals fans encouraged the Bills fans.

* Fans from both sides went to the hospital, stood outside, and prayed.

* Fan Jenn Sanz stated, “This is bigger than football.  Something so critical bringing fans of both sides together.  Tonight, we were one team.  One team praying for Hamlin.”

Harrison Phillips, a Vikings’ defensive tackle, was at a Minnesota Timberwolves game when he heard the news about his former Bills teammate.  After numerous calls, he made arrangements for food to be delivered to Damar’s family, the doctors, nurses, and medical team on the ICU/ER floor at University of Cincinnati Medical Center.  He also had a meal sent on Wednesday night.

Dan Orlovsky, ESPN correspondent, mentioned that so many people were praying for Damar.  While on the air he said, “It is on my heart to pray.  I’m going to do it out loud.  Right now I’m going to bow my head, I’m going to close my eyes, and I’m just going to pray for him.”  The other correspondents also bowed their heads and closed their eyes.  Orlovsky prayed, “God, we come to you in these moments that we don’t understand, that are hard, because we believe that you’re God, and coming to you has impact.  We’re sad, we’re angry, and we want answers, but some things are unanswerable.  We just want to pray, truly come to you and pray for strength for Damar, for healing for Damar, for comfort for Damar, to be with his family, to give them peace.  If we didn’t believe that prayer worked, we wouldn’t ask this of you, God.  I believe in prayer; we believe in prayer.  We lift up Damar Hamlin’s name in your name.  Amen.”

The Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott commented, “The amount of faith, hope and love that we saw on display the last three days has been nothing short of amazing.  Finally, and just as important as anything is glory to God for His keeping Damar and his family in the palm of his hand over the last couple of days – and His healing powers.”

In 2020, Damar started raising funds for the Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, for the children in his area.  He had a goal of $2,500.00 and raised around $3,000.  On January 2, 2023, the news spread and contributions came in at a rapid pace from fans, opponents, NFL owners, players, and others.  The amount is now over $8.7 million!

On January 7, before the NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, players, coaches, trainers, and other personnel from both teams encircled the 50-yard line, knelt, and prayed.  PA State Representative Stephanie Borowicz expressed, “Now this is how you change a nation!”

Last Wednesday Damar posted, “Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart.  Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling.  The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more.  Bigger than football!”  Damar also thanked those who prayed for him.  “This will make me stronger on the road to recovery, keep praying for me!”  Although he will need to continue to be monitored and have additional tests run, the neurologists have declared him to be 100%, with no damage to the brain.

How encouraging to see that when tragedy struck, people immediately began praying, asking God to help, and are continuing to do so.  They were also willing to do what they could to help in the situation.  With prayer and God’s help, may we, too, be prepared and ready to assist when needed.

  

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7