Serving Others

 

Adam Nixon is 14 years of age.  His neighbor, Pamela LaFontaine, is an RN.  Since she has had a busier than normal schedule the past six months, Adam has been mowing her lawn every two weeks for free.  Recently, a neighbor was able to take a picture to let Pamela know who was responsible for the good deed.

Ali and Chris Sitting, and their 8-year-old granddaughter, went to eat at a restaurant in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia.   After they were seated, they noticed an elderly man sitting by himself.  They sent their granddaughter to his table to ask if he would like to join them.  He readily accepted the offer and spent time telling stories about serving in the war and about his wife, who lives in a nursing home nearby.  After they finished eating, Ali went to pay for their meal as well as for their new friend’s dinner.  The waitress told her that people at another table had noticed their kind gesture and had paid for all four of their meals.

 

As a man was leaving his shop for the day, there was a knock on his car window.  One of his regular customers was standing there holding a bag of coins.  When the man was buying his coffee earlier that afternoon, he noticed the place was short on coins so people were given extra money back in change.  Realizing those pennies add up, the customer drove 40 minutes home and then 40 minutes back to bring a baggie full of coins to the employees at The Boundless Bean.  The owner responded, “There were enough coins in this bag to exchange for a latte and a couple of treats, but he wouldn’t have it.  He dropped the coins with a smile and wished me a great day.  So now I’m left wondering…what would happen to our community if we all started watching out for each other like this?  Or even just some of us?  What a beautiful thing that would be.”

 

May we, too, look for opportunities to watch out for and serve others.

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

 

Spreading Love and Support

 

On her way home from the last graduation/awards assembly for her three children, the inevitable happened.  Lindsay Moore lost her first clump of hair, due to chemotherapy.  She sent an SOS text to her hair stylist telling her, “Hair is everywhere.”  Within 15 minutes, Jenn had opened her shop.  When Lindsay and her mother, Robin, arrived, she was greeted with flowers, cupcakes for her kids, and a stuffed Chihuahua.  Lindsay expressed, “It’s amazing what a stuffed animal can do for a 45-year-old who is losing yet another part of who she once was.”  Jenn gently cut and shaved Lindsay’s hair and then shampooed her scalp.  During the session, time was allotted for pauses, hugs, tears, laughter, and kind words of encouragement.  Her wig was then trimmed and styled.  After finishing, Jenn told Lindsay there was, “No charge” for her services.  And Jenn had even come in on her day off.  Linsday commented, “What a blessing to have someone who knows what they’re doing fix up your wig so you feel somewhat normal.  The fact that I could walk out with a smile is a true testament to who she is.”    Robin noted that she was reminded of, “Invaluable lessons on how to use one’s gifts and talents to spread love and support.”  Lindsay beautifully summed up her experience stating, “This road is not fun but it does have beautiful stops along the way.”

 

Liang Yaoyi, an 11-year-old gifted student from Shenzhen, China, died from a brain tumor.  Before his passing, Liang told his mother, Li Qun, that he wanted her to have his organs donated so he could save as many lives as he could.

 

Paul Marlow noticed that his Principal, Matt Smith, was wearing tennis shoes at the graduation ceremony.  That was definitely odd and out of character from his usual style.  Bill Thomas, a fellow teacher who ran the sound for graduation, was also wearing tennis shoes.  Marlow commented, “After the ceremony I found out that both had surrendered their dress shoes to two young men that did not have proper shoes for graduation.  What an amazing example of the kind and caring people that I get to work with every day!  Thanks for being a great example to our young people.”

 

May we also look for opportunities to spread love and support.

 

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

Colossians 3:12

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

More Than Expected

This year, the seniors at Concordia Lutheran High School, in Tomball, Texas, decided that instead of doing a senior prank they wanted to make a positive contribution to their community.  After discussions, the students voted to raise money to give to the owner of Champion Donuts.  The business had struggled during the COVID pandemic.  Since the donut shop was across the street from the high school, students would stop by for breakfast.  Senior Spencer Marlow said, “The donut shop has been a huge part of our school life.”  Jayden Noack stated, “They always throw in an extra donut hole or donut, a good way to get the morning going.”  The seniors wanted to make sure the Champion Donuts owner had a little extra to help him make it during the slower summer months.  After receiving their awards at the school, the seniors marched across the street and presented a heartfelt thanks and check for $2,680 to Hing Ling.  Overwhelmed with gratitude, Mr. Ling gave each of the seniors a donut to celebrate their accomplishments and thoughtfulness.

During the last few weeks of the school year, the students at Kempner High School, in Fort Bend ISD, took on the challenge of redoing the courtyard.  Previously, Mr. Pike, the former assistant principial, had planted all the greenery, but during the freeze, two years ago, all the plants died.  Dot Reuter, Agriculture Science and Floral Design teacher, and her students designed and redid the courtyard.  Students Maen and Liana had been working on the project for two years.  It was Maen’s idea to bring it back to life and make it more like a park.  Cornelius Nursery and Enchanted Gardens donated flowers and plants for the project.  “We are incorporating the Kempner Cougar colors and got everything maroon we could possibly find,” stated Reuter.  She continued, “This project is opening doors for other departments and clubs to participate.  We will get supplies for special education to come out and water them during the year.”

 

In 1959, Volvo invented the three-point seat belt.  Surprisingly, they made the seat belt patent free to all of their competitors.  They figured it was more important to offer the design of a life-saving device than to make a profit off of it.

 

May we, too, be willing to do more than is expected to make a difference in our world.

 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

1 Timothy 6:18