Curtis Jenkins is a bus
driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. According to Principal Emily Gruninger,
Jenkins goes over and above what is expected of a driver and treats the children
on his bus “like a family.” Curtis
responded, “These are my children. These
are my community. I love ‘em all.” Jenkins
gives responsibilities to everyone. One
is an administrative assistant to the President, some are police officers,
while others hold different positions.
He teaches the children to care for each other and love and respect each
other. Throughout the year he gives
gifts to the students. Each one is
handpicked specifically for the receiving child. He once gave a T-shirt to a girl with a
picture from the book she had written.
“I’m hoping this T-shirt inspires her to keep on writing books. Jenkins gives food, backpacks, bicycles, and
anything else his kids might need. When
asked about Curtis, the students rarely mention the gifts. Their main response is, “He really cares
about us and he’s really kind.” Ethan
commented, “My mom got divorced when I was only 4. He’s the father that I always wanted. In some ways, I wish my dad could have been
like that.”
Recently, a police officer
in Kingsland, Georgia, was directing traffic for a high school graduation. He noticed one of the graduates struggling to
properly tie his tie on the way to the ceremony. Between traffic stops, he helped the young
man fix his tie.
Ryan Kirkpatrick is 9
years old and lives in Napa, California.
Towards the end of the school year Ryan was concerned about the
third-grade students at West Park Elementary School who couldn’t afford school
lunches. Although the district policy
states that all students will receive a hot lunch, no matter what they owe,
Ryan asked his mother, Kylie, to find out how much was owed. Ryan used his allowance money to pay the
$74.50 debt. He responded, “I want them
to realize people actually think about them because you’re not just bragging
about stuff. I want them to feel happy
someone cares about them.”
May we too williingly respond
to the opportunities we are given this week.
Do
not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
Do
to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31
And
do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God
is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16
