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