Sparking Kindness

Every morning Mrs. Thompson walks from her house to the neighborhood park and leaves bottles of cold water and energy bars on a park bench for joggers, children, or anyone in need. One morning, 16-year-old Eli spotted the welcomed snacks while finishing his jog. He looked around, but there was no one in sight. The next morning, the snacks were once again available. Recognizing the anonymous kindness, Eli began to notice ways he could give. He helped the boy on the corner who was trying to carry too many bags from the grocery store. Eli took the time to help a little girl reach the swing that was too high. There were times that an apple was left on the bench and juice was given to the mail carrier. One day Mrs. Thompson caught Eli leaving a note on the bench. “A little kindness goes a long way. – Eli.” The bench had become more than just a place to sit in the park. It is changing lives, one act of kindness at a time.

Working as the crossing guard and part-time grounds keeper at the elementary school, Mr. Harland stands at the corner of Maple and Fifth streets every school morning. Wearing his bright orange safety vest, he welcomes the students and helps them safely cross the street. As the colder weather approaches, Mr. Harland stores coats, mittens, hats, and scarves in a wooden box in the shed behind the playground. On cold days, the crossing guard keeps gloves, scarves, and hats in his big pockets to give to the children who are in need. Mr. Harland gives out coats at recess. He is making the world a little warmer, one pair of mittens, a scarf, a hat or a coat at a time.

 

An email was sent out to the student body that a new family in Sullivan needed help moving. The students were told they would earn service hours or be paid by the family.  Within a few minutes, senior football player Kyle Corkill responded that he and eight of his football buddies would take care of it and they didn’t need it to be counted as service hours or to be paid.  Early Saturday morning the young men arrived and helped the family move. Insisting they be paid, the young men finally took the money and chose to give it to the football coach to put in the football fund. When interviewed, senior Aiden Ballinger said, “they wanted to set the bar for the younger guys on how we can thank the community and give back.”

 

Whether individually or as a group, may we, too, spark kindness, one act at a time.

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23