Doing Good

Last weekend, College Station High School and A&M Consolidated High School competed in their yearly football game.  After the game, the two rival teams gathered in the middle of the field.  With the teams mixed together, the players knelt, with their hand on another player’s shoulder, and prayed together.  How encouraging to recognize that life is more than a sporting event.

Heather Leigh and three of her friends met to eat lunch together.  They remarked that the restaurant was overly crowded that day.  There were several groups of people waiting to be seated, as well as an older lady who appeared to be waiting by herself.  Heather noticed a young man get up from his table and ask the lady if she would like to sit at his table so she wouldn’t have to wait.  The gentleman pulled out the chair next to him, for her to be seated.  During the meal, there was quiet conversation.  Heather commented, “With all the ridiculousness happening in our country, it was nice to see and be reminded that there are still good people out there.”

 

For over 12 years now, a Dutch nursing home has provided free rent to college students, for providing 30 hours of assistance each month.  The students visit with the residents, play games, help with needs, and host dinners.  In return, the students also feel like they have a support system while they are away from home.  Many of the residents and students have become life-long friends.  “Love you” is often heard among the college students and residents.  The workers at the nursing home have also noticed that the students give more than the 30-hour requirement a month to help with the elderly.   

 

Moriah Wells was working the drive-thru window that morning.  A man and his son came by and ordered a gift card for $208.  He explained that his wife would go by Dunkin every morning and order a coffee.  His wife had passed away six months earlier and he wanted to do something to honor her memory.  That was the amount she would have spent on coffee, in a six month time period.  The husband gave the gift card back and asked that they use it for the people in line, until it ran out.  Moriah expressed, “We were all amazed and touched at such a wonderful gesture.  My heart goes out to him and his family for the loss of his wife.  It’s people like him who make the world a better place.”

 

Whatever the situation, may we go about doing good this week.

 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:10

 

Character on Display

 

Sahith Theegala was born in California to Indian immigrants.  He is now one of the leading players on the PGA Tour.  This summer Theegala was participating in the final round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, on July 28, 2024, in Blaine, Minnesota.  While playing a shot from a sand trap, Sahith noticed a small amount of sand had moved on his backswing.  Apparently, no one else noticed.  Since that is a rule violation, Theegala immediately notified his playing partner and a rules official.  The two-stroke penalty ended up costing him $2.5 million in prize money.  That day was a shining display of Theegala’s talent as well as his character.

Caleb Konopka, a 12-year-old from Utah, made eight blankets to take to the local children’s hospital in his city.  Realizing that not every child would receive a blanket, Caleb decided on setting a goal to donate 500 blankets.  With determination, he set out to collect supplies and material for his project.  As of last week, Caleb has delivered 450 blankets.  He is hoping to have the remaining 50 made before the holidays.

 

The past year and a half, Jake Reissig, 86 years old, has had the same routine.  First thing in the morning he goes to the church.  Then he meets one of his nine children for coffee.  Next, he goes home, cuts one rose off of a bush and takes it to the grave of his wife of 65 years.  Due to the dry summer, Jake also takes time to water the grass around her grave.  One day he noticed a woman kneeling and crying.  He found out that her brother had served in the Air Force, but passed away in 2010.  That day, Jake decided to add another task to his list, to water the grave of serviceman Joseph Villasenor.  The next time Joseph’s family visited they were amazed at how green the grass was around his grave.  They couldn’t believe a stranger would honor him in that way. 

 

Johnny, who lives in Taylors, South Carolina, approached Helen Bell about mowing her tall grass.  She explained that on top of everything else she didn’t have the money for that this week.  A few minutes later, Helen heard a noise outside her house and realized Johnny was mowing the grass.  She went out to stop him and remind him she couldn’t pay him, but he continued to mow.  He explained, “I saw your kids playing in the yard and was worried about snakes being in the grass and biting them because the grass is too tall.” Johnny said he is a grandfather and hopes someone would look after his grandchildren in the same way.  Helen remarked, “I told him he has a good heart and I wish more people on earth were like him.” 

 

This week, may our character display God’s love, truth, and grace.

 

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

 

Thoughtful Acts

 

The Brown’s neighbor, Ms. Connie, heard the results from Laura’s most recent medical tests, after breast cancer treatments, and wanted to celebrate with her.  That afternoon, Ms. Connie showed up at Laura’s door and presented her with a bouquet of roses and lilies.  She also brought a toy for her granddaughter.  Ms. Connie shared, “I am just so happy that you are in remission and I just wanted to bring you these.”  Laura said, “She made my day and my granddaughter loves the sand toy.”

A family passed a young couple in the cemetery.  They were placing flowers on a grave.  Then they noticed they were leaving flowers on every grave.  Approaching the couple, the man asked if it was a Memorial Day gesture.  The young woman replied, “No, we just got married and we wanted to do something meaningful with the flowers left over from our wedding.”

 

At the end of the Qatar-Ecuador match, fans rushed out of the stadium to beat the traffic.  It was noted that dozens of Japanese fans had stayed in the stadium.  After the other people cleared out, using the trash bags they brought with them, they spent over an hour cleaning up the trash.

 

On September 5, 2024, in his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Xavier Worthy scored his first touchdown.  While his teammates and coaches were congratulating Xavier, Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, went to the referees and asked for the football to give to Worthy as a reminder of that significant touchdown.

 

While driving to work, Kayla Thomas often noticed the lady standing at the crosswalk in front of Laney and Trask.  Waving and smiling, she helped the children cross the street safely.  On this particular morning, Kayla noticed that the crossing guard had a rack of coats by the sidewalk with signs that said, “Free coats.”  Thomas commented, “There is still good in this world, despite what we see and hear every day.  People like her give the rest of us hope that we can all live in peace, and focus on the things that really matter.”

 

This week, may our actions and words also be done in love.

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14