Compassionate Actions

While attending nursing school, Candy Jones worked at the local diner. Every morning, you could set your watch by Mr. Thompson’s 6:15 arrival. He wore the same faded blue jacket, would sit at the table by the window, order black coffee and a piece of toast, and stare out the window. One day Candy surprised Mr. Thompson with a piece of pie. After assuring Candy that he could pay, she told him it was leftover from the previous day and just don’t mention it to the boss. For the first time, she saw the elderly man smile and chuckle. That started the days of conversation. Mr. Thompson told about repairing radios. He also confided in Candy that he and his wife, Edna, would come to the diner every Friday, before she was in the nursing home. On his birthday, the waitress had the cook make a stack of pancakes. The mailman, a trucker, and others eating at the diner joined in singing and wishing Mr. Thompson a “Happy Birthday!” He said, “Nobody’s done that since Edna…” The next morning, there was a tip and note under Mr. Thompson’s coffee cup which read, “Thank you for remembering. Edna would have liked you.” From that day on, the mailman, regular customers, and workers at the diner made sure to greet, encourage, and take turns talking with Mr. Thompson. One customer responded, “This isn’t a fairy tale. Just a lonely man who needed to feel seen and a bunch of strangers reminded that small acts can shake loose the coldest solitude.”

At the beginning of summer, a sign was posted on the door at a 7-11 in Allen, Texas.

                           

                           We understand that schools

                                        are closed and that some families

                                        rely on School LUNCHES!!

                                        So from Monday – Friday

                                                (11 am – 12 pm)

                                        kids 18 and younger can have

                                        a slice of pizza, a banana with

                                        a Big Gulp ON US!

                                                    

                                                         7 ELEVEN

                                                             32870

 

                                               McDermott & Watters

                                                              Allen

 

May we, too, see the needs around us and be willing to do something about them.

 

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

Colossians 3:12

 

Heart Givers

 

For forty years, Frank Thompson built houses. Since retirement, he was looking for ways to use his time, be productive, and make a difference. As Frank drove around town, he began noticing needs. He decided to load up his truck with lumber and supplies, on Saturdays, and begin making repairs. Mrs. Delaney, 82, had trouble getting her oxygen tank up and down her front steps. A ramp was built in two days. When she rolled her wheelchair up and down the ramp, Mrs. Delaney told Frank, “Feels like I’ve got my life back.” He also gave his time and supplies to build ramps for a disabled toddler and a retired veteran. The costs of the supplies began to add up. As Frank returned to his truck one afternoon, he found a note from the owner of the local hardware store attached to his truck which read, “Take what you need. Charge it to me.” His next ramp was built for 10-year-old Paul, who was using a walker after a car accident. Paul had been drawing ramps in his notebook. As Frank aged, arthritis began to set in, but Thompson continued to build.  He taught Paul’s dad, Marcus, how to design and build ramps. He commented, “It’s not just wood. It’s saying, you belong here.” In 2023, Frank died in his sleep. For a few weeks, Frank’s truck stayed parked on the lot. One day Marcus added a new sign to the side of the truck: “Level Ground. Ramp Building Continues.” He reminded the community that “A ramp isn’t just wood. It’s the difference between being stuck and being free.”

Wyatt Erber, 8-years-old, eagerly entered the scavenger hunt sponsored by the First Clover Leaf Bank in Edwardsville, Illinois. With the prize of $1,000, most kids would have made a dream list of toys, bicycle, skateboard, phone, or other items to purchase, but Wyatt had another goal for wanting to win the money. Their neighbor, Trisha Keilty, recently found out that her 2-year-old daughter, Cara, had leukemia. Wyatt wanted to win the prize so he could help pay for chemotherapy to help Cara get better. After winning the scavenger hunt, Wyatt excitedly gave the money to Mrs. Keilty to help pay for Cara’s treatments. As word spread of his gift, a local charity matched his donation. After reading about Wyatt's generosity, a man from Canada mailed him a check for $100.

 

When opportunities arise, may our hearts, too, be ready to give.

 

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

Colossians 3:12

A Giving Heart

With graduation just a few months away, Sofia Nielsen, 17 years old, decided that she wanted to use her talent to do something special for each of her 110 classmates at Notre Dame Academy of Staten Island, New York, an all-girls school. At first, she thought she would paint a picture of the school for everyone, but then decided she wanted it to be more personal. After coming up with a plan, Sofia met with Principal Meaghan O’Brien for her idea to be approved. Next, she went to Laura Bauer, the head of the yearbook, to ask for pictures of all the seniors. Finally, Sofia met with Joe Barral, the head art teacher, to get the supplies she would need to work on the big project at home. For the next two months, Nielsen spent every spare minute painting portraits of each of the 110 graduates. Other than the three people at school and her family, no one knew of Sofia’s surprise. She even managed to keep the project secret from her best friend since kindergarten, even though they talked by phone every day. Two days before graduation, Sofia finished painting and wrapping the last portrait. The day of graduation, she taped the gift under the seat for each of her classmates. It was finally time for the ceremony to begin! As salutatorian of Notre Dame Academy’s Class of 2025, Nielsen approached the platform to address the graduates and their guests. After speaking, Sofia asked each of the graduates to reach under their seat “for a little something made just for them.” There were audible gasps, clapping, and then a standing ovation as the graduates and guests realized what Sofia had gifted her classmates. She concluded, “(The paintings would be) a reminder that everything that you have become here at Notre Dame will always be a part of you. A way to immortalize our legacy.” Sofia stated, “Everyone was so receptive and grateful for it. I am so amazed by their reaction to it.” Lisa Nielsen continues to be amazed at her daughter’s artistic talent, creativity, and academic success. She reminisced, “This girl walked into Notre Dame Academy afraid of her own shadow, unable to really present in front of a classroom of kids that she knew from kindergarten. To see her up on that stage at graduation in front of 600 people, 110 girls, all her teachers, and to witness that self-possessed ability to communicate and share her gift with others…it was nothing less than a miracle from God and Notre Dame Academy’s help to get her to that point.”

Whether it’s planned for a long time or spur of the moment, may we also be willing to use the gifts and talents God has given us to serve and bless others.

 

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

1 Peter 4:10