Saturday, November 30, 2024

Finding Good

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rizden, an Army Ranger, stopped by Taco Bell to buy dinner.  After placing his order, he noticed two young boys, 9 and 13, selling homemade desserts to help raise funds for their church.  Looking cold and hungry, Lieutenant Colonel Rizden asked the boys if they had eaten dinner.  When they responded “No,” he invited them to the counter and told them they could order anything off the menu and he would pay for it.  The boys were so excited and appreciative.  The younger boy looked up and told the soldier, “I want to be just like you when I grow up.”  He then saluted Lieutenant Colonel Rizden.

Two-year-old Charlie and his mom were ready to go to the grocery store.  Before leaving, Charlie asked to take a toy.  The family rule was not to take toys, but for some reason, she allowed it.  When they were about to get to the checkout line, Charlie realized his toy was missing.  They retraced their steps, looking for a Star Wars Stormtrooper.  The toy was not found.  Now every trip to Cub Foods started with a visit to the Guest Service counter to ask Diego if the toy had been found and turned in.  After several weeks, Diego told Charlie’s mom that he and another worker had found a Stormtrooper on the internet and bought it.  She commented, “Today, when we went to the Guest Service counter, Diego, ‘found’ the 1970s Star Wars Stormtrooper and gave it to Charlie!  Charlie’s face lit up in disbelief.  “Cub Foods you have incredible people working for you!  Diego, your kindness has brought me to tears of joy.  I am so grateful for your gift to my son.” 

 

Josh Haltom was on a flight from Indianapolis to Baltimore.  A young girl was on the plane going to see her mother.  Many passengers passed by her row, but finally a younger couple took the seat next to her.  It didn’t take long to realize that it was not going to be a quiet flight.  The couple just went with it.  When the stewardess came by to take drink orders, the girl ordered three waters for her row.  She then took out her Hello Kitty paint sheets and brushes and gave them to each person.  After instructions, the three began to paint their pictures.  Next Josh reported that the girl was covering the man with her prized stickers on his arms, beard, and ears.  The man didn’t let it bother him.  Haltom concluded, “Moral of the story:  there is good in this world.  In fact, there is more good than bad in this world if we just open our eyes to it.”

 

And may we, too, look for, find, do and be the good this week.

 

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Saturday, November 23, 2024

With Grateful Thanks

 

“Not what we say

about our blessings,

but how we use them,

is the true measure

of our thanksgiving.”

~ W. T. Purkiser

 

 

“May God’s abundant

blessings

fill our hearts and homes

with a rich harvest

of grateful praise.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“When we’re intentional about giving thanks

for everything we come across,

we can’t help but feel joy

over the pure gift of another day.”

~ Bob Goff

 

 

“LET OUR LIVES BE

FULL OF BOTH

THANKS

AND

GIVING.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“The purest expression

of our Thanksgiving

is quietly seen

in our thanks-living.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“Gratitude

isn’t only a celebration

when good things happen;

gratitude’s a declaration that

GOD IS GOOD

no matter what happens.”

~ Ann Voscamp

 

 

“There is

always, always

something to be

grateful for.”

~ Rhonda Byrne

 

 

“Gratitude helps you

fall in love with the

life you already have.”

~ Kristen Hewitt

 

 

“GRATITUDE IS THE FOUNDATION

FOR JOY AND CONTENTMENT.”

~ Andy Andrews

 

 

“Gratitude and attitude are not

challenges; they are choices.”

~ Robert Braathe

 

 

“The more

grateful I am,

the more

beauty I see.”

~ Mary Davis

 

 

Thanksgiving

doesn't have to end.

Let’s be

thankful

all year long.

~ Unknown

 

And may our thanksgiving be shown in our thanks-living.

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

     his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

 

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18