In This Together

 

While shopping for groceries, Stacey, a retired school custodian, overheard two nurses’ talking. “No visitors. Not a single call in two years.” She soon learned the ladies worked at Oakwood Nursing Home and were speaking of Mr. Ellis. The next Tuesday, Stacey pushed her shopping cart into Oakwood and asked for Mr. Ellis. After introductions, Stacey spent time visiting. She came the next day, with a spiral notebook and pen, so Henry could help her spell better. The visits were now a weekly part of Stacey’s schedule. One day, Mr. Ellis said he wanted to write a letter to his grandson, his only relative. It took a few weeks to write the note and then it was mailed. The next Tuesday morning, Henry’s grandson arrived for a visit. From that time on, he came weekly. Workers and residents noticed the happy and content change in Henry. Other residents asked Stacey to help them, too. She began interviewing the people and finding out what they liked. She would arrive each week with a full cart of items to distribute. Soon the home started a “Friendship Board” so people in town could sign up for a resident to befriend.

Walter went to the laundromat on Main Street to wash his flannels, in preparation for the cooler weather. The place wasn’t crowded. That’s when Walter noticed a young mother, with a baby on her hip, digging in her purse trying to find another quarter to do her wash. Walter slipped a quarter in the slot and told the young lady, “This one’s on me.” With tears in her eyes, she softly said, “Thank you.” The next Monday he went back, dropped some quarters in a machine, and left an unsigned note: “Load’s on me. Stay warm.” Someone left a note that said, “You saved me today. Bless you.” For three years now, every Monday, Walter brings a baggie of quarters and sticky notes to leave on the washers. He wants people to know they are seen and cared for. One Monday, Walter walked into the laundromat and there were already notes and coins by the machines. A note was left for Walter that said, “We’re in this together.” One time Walter caught a teenage boy leaving two quarters in a machine and walking away. Now every Monday morning, at three laundromats across town, individuals, church groups, and even the mayor, leave quarters and notes taped to the machines. Walter expressed, “Just quarters. And a quiet message taped to a machine: I saw you. I know it’s hard. I’ve got you. The world may stay divided. The noise may never stop. But as long as the washers keep turning on Monday’s, so does hope.”

May we also be willing to join in to serve others.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40

Learning From Children

As Alexandrea Jade approached the playground at school, one of the first things she noticed was the bright red wooden bench. Her son explained, “That’s the Buddy Bench. If someone feels lonely or has no one to play with, they sit there and other kids go ask them to play.” Curious, Alexandrea asked her son if he had ever used the bench. “When I was new, I sat there and someone came and asked me to play. I felt happy. And now when I see kids on it, I go and ask them to play. We all do.”

The first week of September, some students at Troy High School, in Troy, Ohio, began secretly making origami hearts with a handwritten message for every student in their school. Last week they anonymously placed the hearts on every locker in the school. One student responded, “Whover you are…You made an entire school feel seen, loved, and remembered today.”

 

Recently, Ben Miller, from Boise, Idaho, set up a lemonade stand, in order to raise money for the local animal shelter. The nine-year-old raised $1,150 for food and toys for the animals. Ben presented the money to the owner of the shelter in a large bag. His proud mother commented, “His kind heart and determination have made a real difference, proving, that even the youngest among us can change the world. With each dollar raised, he gives animals more than food or toys…he gives all of us an example of true compassion.”

 

While sitting in her car at the red light, at the corner of Jackman and Alexis, Jenna Steele saw a car pull into the gas station.  The driver parked and three young men exited the car. They each reached for their wallets, took out cash, gave it to the homeless man standing at the corner. After speaking to the man and shaking his hand, the guys got back in the car and drove off.

 

May we, too, notice, encourage, celebrate, and learn from the heart, compassion, and thoughtfulness of children.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Doing the Extra

 

Heavy rains hit Pearland, Texas last week, leaving shoppers at H-E-B stranded. Realizing that the rain was not expected to end any time soon, three of the young employees grabbed the big umbrellas and began escorting customers to their car and unloading the groceries for them.

Ethan McDonald, Bryce Benton, and Nathan Harbin, 8th and 9th graders, are members of First Presbyterian Church in Douglasville, Georgia. In early August, the church hosted their annual “First Presence Work Day,” to serve the people in their community. The three young men volunteered to work with the “Sleep in Heavenly Peace Team” that built 32 bunk beds for children in foster care or in need. Many of the recipients were sleeping on the floor and would now have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

 

Wednesday morning, Chamara Madhusanka was pulled over by a Tennessee State Trooper. Inquiring why the two young boys in the back seat were not in car seats, Chamara handed over papers and explained that she had just picked up the boys to foster. They came with no extra clothes, coats, toys, or car seats. After getting her phone number, Officer Tidwell sent her on her way. Later that morning, Chamara met Officer Tidwell at Waverly. He and his wife had purchased gifts for the two young boys and even items for their older brother.

 

Amanda Taylor and her 4-year-old son, Gage were at Dollar Tree shopping for party favors for his 4th birthday. Looking on a bottom shelf, Gage noticed a dollar and excitedly showed it to his mom. Amanda quickly told Gage that they needed to turn it in. Then she noticed a note that was attached: “Please enjoy this random act of kindness.” Mother and son talked about how happy the act of kindness made Gage. They decided they wanted to make people happy, too. Gage decided cookies would be great. They purchased the treat, with the dollar, and a few more. On the way home, they stopped at houses, put the cookies by the door, rang the doorbell, and ran, so their gift could be a surprise.

 

As we serve the Lord, may we all be willing to do the extra to help carry the load and brighten someone else’s day.

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

To Consider

 

"Life doesn't allow us to

go back and fix what

we have done wrong in

the past, but it does

allow us to live each day

better than our last.”

~ Brian Weiner

 

 

“MAY THE JOY OF SIMPLE

THINGS COLOR THE

CANVAS OF YOUR SOUL.”

~ Mary Davis

 

 

“Life won’t always be fair, and

people won’t always be kind.

But you can always choose to show up

with courage, kindness, and integrity.

That’s your real power.”

~ Boggs family

 

 

“The first step to getting what you

want is to have the courage to

get rid of what you don’t.”

~ Zig Ziglar

 

 

“Be an encourager.

The world has plenty of

critics already.”

~ Dave Willis

 

 

“WE SHOULD BE

LIFTING EACH OTHER UP

AND CHEERING

EACH OTHER ON,

NOT TRYING TO

OUTSHINE

ONE ANOTHER.

THE SKY WOULD BE

AWFULLY DARK

WITH JUST ONE STAR.”

~ Mother Teresa

 

 

“We are all servants.

The only question is

whom will we serve.”

~ R. C. Sproul

 

 

“LEAD with KINDNESS,

LIVE with GRATITUDE, and

LEAVE a footprint of LOVE.”

~ Anonymous

 

 

“To know even one life

has breathed easier

because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

“THERE ARE TWO THINGS

WE GET EVERY DAY

WHEN WE WAKE UP –

A CHANCE AND A CHOICE.”

~ James Prince

 

 

After considering, may we make the changes needed, in order to make a difference for God’s Kingdom work.

 

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

          for you are God my Savior,

     and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5