Caring and Compassionate Hearts

 

Mr. Kirk is the principal at William Allen White Elementary School in Emporia, Kansas.  While waiting in the car rider line, a parent noticed Principal Kirk cleaning the snow and ice off of the windshields and windows of the teachers’ cars. 

Wanting to find a way to help those in need, Alison Gallagher, a 26-year-old from Sterling, Connecticut, set up “Alison’s Closet of Kindness” in her front yard.  Instead of throwing away or selling her clothes, shoes, purses, and other items she no longer wanted or needed, she decided to give them away.  Others in the community are also contributing clothing items to “Alison’s Closet of Kindness.”  People are encouraged to stop by and take what they need.

 

Yolanda Palacious and her family went to eat at Olive Garden. Her 79-year-old mother decided to sit at the corner of the table, so she would have extra room.  When the main course was brought to the table, Yolanda was speaking to her 15-year-old daughter.  As she turned to talk with her mother, she saw that the waitress, Susie, was sweetly and patiently cutting up the meat for her mother.  Yolanda thanked her and the waitress relied, “No problem.  I don’t mind.  I have grandparents and I know how it is at times.”  Susie continued to cut the lady’s food for a few more minutes.  After the meal, Yolanda made sure the manager was made aware of what Susie had done.  “I expressed my gratitude towards her and told him this kind of heart she has is full of caring and compassion.”  Yolanda wanted to acknowledge Susie for “going a step further in her service.”

 

Upon arriving with two packages, the delivery driver noticed an elderly lady trying to sweep the snow off of her front porch and steps.  He encouraged her to wait and escorted her back to her door and handed her the boxes.  An hour later the young man returned with a shovel, cleared the porch, steps, and sidewalk, and then sprinkled salt to reduce the chance of slipping.

 

May we, too, be on the lookout for ways we can make life a little easier and sweeter for those around us.  And may we be quick to thank and acknowledge those who are making a difference for good.

 

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

Colossians 3:12

 

Intentional Choices

 

OUR HOPE IS

NOT IN THE

NEW YEAR,

BUT IN THE

ONE WHO

MAKES ALL

THINGS NEW.

~ Joseph Saraceno

 

Begin and finish your days

with thoughts of gratitude.

Those first and final moments

set the tone for the many

minutes that fall in between.

~Erica Layne

 

 

THE

TIME

IS ALWAYS RIGHT

TO DO WHAT IS

RIGHT

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

 

It’s the friends

we meet along the way

that help us

appreciate the journey.

 

 

It is not so much

about what life

hands you, but what

you do with what

you get.

~ Idowu Koyenikan

 

 

 The purpose of life

is to live a

life of purpose.

 

 

View each day as an

opportunity to do one

thing better than you

have ever done it before.

 

 

You will never change your

life until you change

something you do daily.

The secret of your success is

found in your daily routine.

~ John C. Maxwell

 

 

If I cannot do great things,

I can do small things

in a great way.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

 

ALWAYS BE

ON THE LOOKOUT

FOR THE PRESENCE

OF WONDER.

~ E.B. White

 

 

The best decision is always

the one that will give God

the most glory.

 

 

You cannot get through a

single day without having

an impact on

the world around you.

What you do makes a

difference

and you have to decide

what kind of

difference

you want to make.

~ Jane Goodall

 

 

As we begin a new year, may we be intentional about the thoughts we think, the choices we make, the words we speak, and the things we do.

 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

 

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

Matthew 7:12

Purpose Filled Actions

 

CJ Stroud is the rookie quarterback of the Houston Texans. After winning the game that secured a spot in the playoffs, in a wildcard game, CJ was interviewed.  He was quick to share a witness of his faith in the Lord.  “Jesus laid down his life on the cross for us - I really believe that.  This is bigger than just football.  Football is my platform.  Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is my purpose.”

A young man was sitting on a bench, waiting for the bus to come so he could go to an interview.  He was obviously having difficulty with his tie.  A lady noticed and nudged her husband to help.  While the man went to offer assistance, the wife stood and shielded the young man so he would have no need to be embarrassed.  The lady responded, “Don’t let the evil in this world stop you from showing love to one another, folks!  Together we are stronger.”

 

Noah Rabinowtz, a Hills East sophomore, is the creator of Noah’s Community Cakes.  During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, he planned to bake and donate 100 cakes to Mercy Soup Kitchen.  With the help of One World Youth Club fund raising, Noah was able to exceed that goal.  His dream now is to bake and donate 1,000 cakes by his 18^th birthday.

 

Bel Sanchez, from Alvin, Texas, is constantly serving the people in her community.   She is on boards and committees, volunteers, helps with projects, and finds ways to invest in and share with people.  Since teachers, students, and school personnel are near and dear to her heart, Bel watches for sales on school supplies, pencils, glue sticks, yarn, Kleenex, and other items that school teachers need for their students.  At different times during the year, she invites friends to join her in the effort to collect and deliver the needed supplies to the schools.  Not only does Bel deliver supplies to Bel Nafegar Sanchez, the elementary school named after her, she also goes to other schools in the district.  In addition, Mrs. Sanchez encourages students to take extra Kleenex to their P.E., elective teachers, and nurses so they can learn to be part of the giving process as well.

 

May we, too, be purposeful in finding ways to share God’s love by serving, helping, encouraging and telling people about Jesus.

 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one spirit, striving together as one for the faith in the gospel.

Philippians 1:27

 

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

James 1:22