Looking Out for Others

 

Makenzie and Steven Shultz went to a sushi eatery, in Iowa, to celebrate their anniversary.  The service was less than desirable.  It took 20 minutes to get their water, 40 minutes for the appetizer, and over an hour for the entrée to arrive.  Since they were not necessarily in a hurry, they continued to converse and observe.  There were rude comments about the lack of service, but the waiter tried his best to keep up and remain polite.  Having both been servers in their younger years, Makenzie and Steven were both aware of the situation.  The eatery was way understaffed for the busy evening shift.  As they watched the waiter run back and forth, they remembered their busy times working and how they relied on the tips.  Realizing that the waiter would probably receive few or minimal tips that evening, the Shultzes decided to make his night.  They paid the $66.65 bill and left a $100 tip and a note on the receipt which read, “We’ve both been in your shoes.  Paying it forward.”  Makenzie concluded her post: “I’m just sharing this as a friendly reminder to think of the entire situation, before you judge.  And always, always remember where you came from.”

Kelvin Greer’s elderly neighbor lives alone.  After reading about an idea, he gave her three colored pieces of paper to place in her front window, which faces their kitchen window.  Green is for I’m OK, yellow represents I need help with an errand or another task, and red is for an emergency.  Kelvin reminds us that its important to look out for each other

 

Erika Warren’s mother passed away last week.  Even though it had been a busy and exhausting week, Bea Garner stopped by on Thursday evening to spend time with her friend and her dad, Mike Kelley.  She knew her friends needed to feel loved and encouraged.  Mike had unexpectedly lost his dear wife of 58 years.  The three sat in the rocking chairs on the front porch and talked.  The big trees in the front yard provided shade and the fan kept them cool.  While rocking, Bea listened to Mr. Kelley talk about being in the Navy.  He answered questions of what it was like to live on a submarine.  In the course of the conversation, Mike asked Erika and Bea to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song he heard while serving in the Navy.  As they continued to visit, neighbors would stop by and speak.  The beautiful flowers from the memorial service were in the front yard.  Mr. Kelley shared that his wife, Gwen, loved flowers.  He told the neighbors that their kids could have any of the flowers from the displays.  Bea had left her cellphone in the car so she could be fully present.  She commented, “I left Erika and her dad feeling refreshed.  Friends, it doesn’t cost us anything to slow down, be present, and open up the myriad of ways God can use us to encourage others.  Be intentional, be present, and love people.”

 

And may we, too, remember where we came from, look out for each other, be intentional, be present, and love people.

 

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

 

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

Colossians 3:12