Warm Hearts

 

An early snow was expected. Amanda’s son had outgrown his coat, even though he wore it that week. Tuesday would be his first time to wear his new jacket. When Amanda picked up her children, her older daughter, Jozlynn, mentioned that another boy was wearing Adam’s coat. She assumed it was one that looked like her son’s coat. Later that evening, her daughter commented again about the coat. Jozlynn said Adam had given it away. When questioned, Adam stated, “My friend did not have a warm enough coat to play outside.” Since he still had his old coat in his locker, and it fit his friend, he told him to keep it so he wouldn’t be cold while he waited for the bus. Amanda said, “This story is not about judging anyone. It is about celebrating how our children care for each other.”

Marshall is 70 years old and for the past 13 years he has delivered propane for Mountain Gas Company. Customers call in, order, pay, and then Marshall delivers. As he drove by, he realized that the older couple that lived in the farmhouse on Miller Road had not made a recent order. Marshall stopped, checked the tank, and it showed zero. With the snow and freezing temperatures, he knocked on the door. The older lady came to the door shivering, with blue lips. She explained that their check didn’t come for three more days. It would cost $640 to fill the 20- gallon tank. That’s when Marshall announced that, “The system shows you prepaid. Must’ve been last month’s payment. Computer glitches happen.” The lady cried as he began to fill the tank. That’s when Marshall began checking the tanks for the family with a sick child and the disabled veteran. His savings account was taking a hit as he would “Prepay” their accounts. It wasn’t long before the dispatcher noticed, “Marshall, six deliveries show prepaid but no payments received.” He thought he was going to lose his job, even though he had made the payments. The dispatcher handed Marshall an envelope. “Drivers took a collection. My grandmother froze to death in her home. Couldn’t afford fuel. Keep people warm.” The company started a fund, “Marshall’s Warmth,” to help when needed. The community also contributes. Last week the elderly couple called. “Marshall, we saved up.” They handed him $640 “For your next family facing the cold.”

 

Whatever the season, may we have warm hearts that look for and find ways to help others.

 

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