Expressing Value

 

Near the stone barn at Wegmeyer Farms is a large crate filled with and surrounded by pumpkins.  A big sign painted on the front states:

 

Know a Family or Friend

Who Could be Blessed By

a Pumpkin?

 

Take one From the Bin

To Give to Them!

 

“It is more blessed to

give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

 

Jaron Casillas is 10 years old and a fifth grader in a school in North Texas.  Since he is colorblind, his classmates decided to pool their allowances and buy their friend two pairs of glasses, one to wear inside and the other one for outside, so he would be able to see in color.  The students were so excited about Jaron’s reaction to seeing colors for the first time.  He questioned, “Is this what everyone else has been seeing the whole time?”  Christina Hayes, Jaron’s teacher, says that he constantly has a smile, since receiving the special glasses.  He often says, “I know that my friends are really true friends for doing this for me.”

 

Marcy’s husband makes her a cup of hot tea every morning.  Since he was scheduled to be out of town, she knew that it would be her responsibility for the week.  The first morning, as Marcy rounded the corner of the kitchen, she saw her son making tea.  He smiled and said, “I’ll make it for you while dad is gone.”

 

Natalie Browning was getting married.  Her 94-year-old grandfather, Nelson May, was eagerly looking forward to seeing his granddaughter in her wedding dress and getting to dance with her.  Two weeks before Natalie’s big day, Mr. May had a stroke and found out he would not be able to fly the 800 miles to be at the wedding.  Since he wouldn’t be able to attend, Natalie flew from Virginia to Florida to surprise her grandfather.  She packed her dress, went to Nelson’s house, changed, and then danced with her grandfather.  Natalie owns a jewelry business in Virginia Beach called “Of Great Value.”  She commented that, “It is centered around reminding people that they are deeply valuable.  I wanted my grandpa to know that he is incredibly valuable to me.  And even though he was unable to come to my wedding, that the dance he so desired to have with me was valuable too.  So, we made it happen.”

 

May we look for ways to express value to those around us, especially during this busy holiday season.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4