Intentional Blessings

 

Diane is a retired nurse. Every morning, she stops by the Seaside Café, in the coastal town where she lives, to enjoy a cup of coffee. Diane began noticing that people would order, sit at a table, and stare at their cell phone. Few looked happy or excited about the day ahead. It reminded her of her patients who often seemed lonely and disconnected from the world. Diane approached Maria, the café owner, and asked if she would be willing to put up a chalkboard so people could anonymously record their “Acts of Kindness.” After Maria hesitantly agreed, an old chalkboard was hung by the counter. Diane wrote the first entry, “Paid for the next person’s coffee.” As the week progressed, more notes were added.

“Helped Mrs. Lynne carry groceries up her stairs.”

“Let a harried mom cut in line.”

“Left soup for a homeless shelter.”

“Taught a kid to ride a bike.”

“Bought school supplies for a child whose mom couldn’t afford them.” The supplies were left on the front porch with a note that said, “Every kid deserves to feel seen.”

The board helped open conversations of other acts of kindness being offered and needs in the community…car repairs, taking meals to the sick, listening to someone’s grief. A few months later, the Seaside Café celebrated its first “Kindness Day” with free food and a live band. Diane commented, “This town wasn’t broken, it just needed people to look up. And sometimes, it’s enough to stitch a community back together, one small act at a time.”

 

In 1909, Milton Hershey, of chocolate fame, and his wife Catherine formed the Milton Hershey School for orphaned boys. Mr. Hershey felt a calling to provide a way for the boys to be educated and have a future, which otherwise would have been nearly impossible. After his wife died, and with no children of their own, Hershey transferred most of his fortune into a trust to guarantee that the school would continue. This decision surprised his advisors and friends. Today, the Milton Hershey School still provides a free education, healthcare, housing, and an opportunity for a successful future to 2,000 students from low-income families, all because a man chose to leave a legacy of giving back rather than building wealth.

 

May we, too, be intentional about finding ways to bless, help, and encourage others.

 

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 

Doing Good

Rylee Boone, 11, and Hayden Hase, 10, are from Edna, Texas. After hearing about the floods in the Texas Hill Country, the girls wanted to do something to help. They decided to set up a lemonade stand. With the help of their generous community, they raised $6,000. After hearing of the girls’ success, a generous donor gave an additional $6,000 to add to their total. Hayden and Rylee have plans for other lemonade days so they can continue to make a difference for the people who lost so much in the floods.

With all the Hill Country flooding and devastation, the Kerrville Public Utility Board linemen have been working day and night to help restore power. In appreciation, a little girl helped her mom pack goody bags for the workers. Along with water and lots of snacks, each bag contained a special note with a hand drawn picture and “God bless! Thank you! You rock!” written on it. One observer commented, “A small gesture – big reminder. This is what makes the Hill Country special. It’s not just about rebuilding power lines… it’s about the power of community."

 

Feeling a calling to help after the floods, Laura Williams set up a group called “Washed with Love.” The idea came from her husband, who served in the US Army for 21 years. He had often complained about the misery of not having clean socks when he was on duty out in the fields. Thirty people have volunteered to wash clothes, for free, for the out-of-town 1st responders. After the shift on the river is over, the volunteers pick up the laundry at the hotel. The clean clothes are returned by 6:00 am the next day. To help out, people in the community are supplying detergent, gift cards, money, and new socks to help the “Washed with Love” group.

 

Timothy Lopez usually paints cars in a small body shop in Victoria. Because of the deaths in the floods in Kerrville, he has spent these past few days painting personalized caskets for some of the victims and is giving them to the families free of charge. Lopez delivered the caskets to Kerrville and then took time to help clear up some of the debris.

 

James Avery Artisan Jewelry is headquartered in Kerrville, Texas, where recent flooding took place. Through August 4, the company is giving 100% of the proceeds from their “Deep in the Heart of Texas” charm to help with flood recovery efforts in the Texas Hill Country area. Their artisans, in Kerrville, Comfort, Hondo, and Corpus Christi, have volunteered to work double shifts, in order to keep the production going 24/7. As of Friday, July 18, James Avery has orders for more than 51,000 charms and is donating more than $3 million.

 

May we, too, choose to live a life of doing good.

 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3:8