From Tender Hearts

Andrew May, 7 years old, goes to Buckalew Elementary School in Conroe, Texas.  Since Andrew has Down Syndrome, he spends part of the day in specialized learning and the rest of the day with the regular student population.  For several months, Andrew has been practicing and working hard at making a basket.  One day, during recess, Margarita Steinberg, a teacher’s aide, noticed something special happening and began recording on her phone.  Six different times the other kids would dribble and pass the ball to Andrew so he could try to shoot a basket.  On the seventh attempt, Andrew made the basket!  Ms. Steinberg recounted, “When he did, nearly a dozen students erupted in cheers like they’d just won the NBA Championship.  May ran around the blacktop, cheering and pumping his hands in the air.”   When Andrew’s mother saw the video, she responded, “We all need a cheering squad like that.  That is what just touched us so much was to see those boys in action when they didn’t even know they were being filmed.”

Policeman Brian Prehoda was taking a 2:00 coffee break.  As he walked into the lobby, a little girl ran up to him to give him a high 5.  Afterwards she shouted, “Thanks for saving our lives!”  Jasmine even asked to have her picture made with Officer Prehoda.  He responded, “To say she made my year is an understatement.”

 

As part of a giving campaign, Olivia approached a grade school boy at a department store and told him he could choose whatever he wanted from the store in a certain amount of time.  Olivia and the boy’s mother were both surprised at his choices.  Instead of finding items for himself, the boy picked out things to give to foster children.

 

While shopping, a little girl came up to Josh Yurman and handed him a fuzzy ball.  He asked the girl if she had found the ball or if it was hers.  The girl responded, “I’m giving out warm fuzzys to everyone today to make their day better.” 

 

Children have much to teach us on how to love, honor, and serve others from tender hearts.  And kudos to parents, teachers, friends, and family who are modeling, teaching, and giving opportunities for kids to put into practice what they are learning and desiring to express.

 

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:11

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Super Bowl LVIII

Key athletes, playing in Super Bowl LVIII, continue to use the game of football as their platform to share about their relationship with Jesus.  Recently, Peyton Garland wrote an article, for Crosswalk.com, mentioning 8 Christian athletes who will be playing in the football game this Sunday.  Below are some highlights.

#15 Patrick Mahomes   Kansas City   Quarterback

“My life legacy isn’t wrapped in my career, but in my relationship with Jesus.  I’ve been able to come back and really develop this relationship that’s been able to let me go out there and play free and not worry about the moment of the success and or the failure.  So that’s been my walk and I’ll continue to walk and do whatever I can to strengthen my relationship with Him.”

 

#13 Brock Purdy   San Fransisco   Quarterback

“My identity isn’t in football.  I know who I am and God if you want me to do great with (football), great.  If not, all right, let’s go do something else, wherever you need me.”

 

#23 Christian McCaffrey   San Francisco   Running back

McCaffrey is constantly praying on the field.  “My main prayers are not only for all of the athletes’ safety, but that they play the game in an ‘honorable way.’  I realize the incredible gift I have been given and want my prayer life to reflect a heart of gratitude.”

 

#7 Harrison Butker   Kansas City   Kicker

“[God] is the most important thing.  If I didn’t have faith in God, I don’t think I’d be the father I am, the husband I am, the kicker I am.  That kind of sets the tone and everything else falls under that, but that gives me the strength to do everything I need to do.  I know I’m a child of God and He’s going to protect me.  And maybe that protection comes with some suffering, but that’s what’s best for me and I gotta accept that suffering and grow as best I can with that.  I always pray for God’s will to be done.”

 

#91 Arik Armstead   San Francisco   Defensive end

More than all the awards, stats, achievements, and nominations, Armstead prizes, “my faith in Christ.”  Bob Bailin, his pastor, says “[Armstead] is such a genuine believer in Christ that he’s really going to do it his way.  He’s going to do it Christ’s way.”

 

#32 Nick Bolton   Kansas City   Linebacker

Bolton thanks Christ for the platform he has been given.  “I don’t think a lot of things in life would happen without God.  God blessed me with the ability to have my mom, my family, my support system around me.  I grew up with both my parents.  A lot of people don’t have that opportunity.”

 

#31 Tashaun Gipson   San Francisco   Safety

Tashaun is quick to give God glory.  “It’s just glory to God because I came into the right situation at the right time.  And everything just worked out in God’s plan.  Without him, this wouldn’t be possible.”

 

#38 L’Jarius Sneed   Kansas City   Cornerback

Three games into his rookie season, Sneed fractured his collarbone.  He used that time to grow in his faith with God.  “First of all, I started off by praying with God.  It was hard on my mental, you know, how I started off.  Plus, me trying to come back and maintain that same image that I put out.  But with God, anything is possible.  So I kept my faith in God.”  After a recent game Sneed tweeted, “God I thank you.”

 

And may we be faithful to use the platforms God has given each one of us to share His message and bring Him glory.

 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

 

Caring and Awesome People

Teo Jordan, from Covington, Kentucky, is a senior in high school.  In order to earn money to buy a car, he began working as a bagger at the local Kroger.  Teo had only been employed at the store a few weeks when he heard the cashier tell an elderly man that he would need to put a few of the items back because he did not have enough money to pay for all of his groceries.  Teo quickly pulled out his wallet and handed the cashier $35 so the man could have all the food he needed.  His act of kindness did not go unnoticed.  When questioned he responded, “Just treat people how you want to be treated – always help out if somebody needs it.”  He followed up with the challenge, “Do something helpful for people.  Let them know that God’s there for them and make sure they have a good day.”

Alesha Nemechek was visiting her 85-year-old Papa Joe and Grandma, who had recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.  The second morning, Papa Joe decided he wanted Alesha to take him to the store.  As he shopped, Alesha began to notice the items her grandfather picked out had something in common.  They were some of her grandma’s favorite things: a bottle of her favorite soda, her favorite kind of grapes, a lemon pie, and fresh flowers.  Papa Joe stood by the flowers for several minutes until he spotted the bouquet with the most purple flowers in it, since that was Grandma’s favorite color.  On the way home, he asked Alesha to stop at the deli so they could buy a sandwich to take home for Grandma’s lunch.  Alesha’s reflection for the day was, “May we all take a lesson from Papa Joe.  Never stop being intentional!!!” 

 

Kathy’s husband was taking their children on an outing, on his day off, so she traded cars with him for the day.  That afternoon, on her way home from work, Kathy noticed that Mike’s car was going to need gas before too many more miles.  She decided to stop at their usual station to fill the tank.  As Kathy grabbed the nozzle, a lady approached her and said she was doing random acts of kindness and asked, “Can I please pay for your gas?”  When told what had happened, Mike later responded, “I have been shown this past week that there are still kind and awesome people out there.” 

 

May we, too, be intentional about finding ways to be kind, thoughtful, and helpful this week.

 

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

Caring and Compassionate Hearts

 

Mr. Kirk is the principal at William Allen White Elementary School in Emporia, Kansas.  While waiting in the car rider line, a parent noticed Principal Kirk cleaning the snow and ice off of the windshields and windows of the teachers’ cars. 

Wanting to find a way to help those in need, Alison Gallagher, a 26-year-old from Sterling, Connecticut, set up “Alison’s Closet of Kindness” in her front yard.  Instead of throwing away or selling her clothes, shoes, purses, and other items she no longer wanted or needed, she decided to give them away.  Others in the community are also contributing clothing items to “Alison’s Closet of Kindness.”  People are encouraged to stop by and take what they need.

 

Yolanda Palacious and her family went to eat at Olive Garden. Her 79-year-old mother decided to sit at the corner of the table, so she would have extra room.  When the main course was brought to the table, Yolanda was speaking to her 15-year-old daughter.  As she turned to talk with her mother, she saw that the waitress, Susie, was sweetly and patiently cutting up the meat for her mother.  Yolanda thanked her and the waitress relied, “No problem.  I don’t mind.  I have grandparents and I know how it is at times.”  Susie continued to cut the lady’s food for a few more minutes.  After the meal, Yolanda made sure the manager was made aware of what Susie had done.  “I expressed my gratitude towards her and told him this kind of heart she has is full of caring and compassion.”  Yolanda wanted to acknowledge Susie for “going a step further in her service.”

 

Upon arriving with two packages, the delivery driver noticed an elderly lady trying to sweep the snow off of her front porch and steps.  He encouraged her to wait and escorted her back to her door and handed her the boxes.  An hour later the young man returned with a shovel, cleared the porch, steps, and sidewalk, and then sprinkled salt to reduce the chance of slipping.

 

May we, too, be on the lookout for ways we can make life a little easier and sweeter for those around us.  And may we be quick to thank and acknowledge those who are making a difference for good.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12