Honoring Others

In Bruce Brown’s “Captains: 7 Ways to Lead Your Team” booklet, Leadership Principle #4 states, “Be the first to praise others and the last to brag or draw attention to yourself.  Praise those who contribute in ways others may not notice but do the team skills.”  Whether she has read the booklet, or not, Paige Bueckers, of the UConn women’s basketball team, has mastered the concept.  After she and her teammates beat USC in the Elite 8, to earn a place in the Final Four, Paige was sought out for an interview.  With 31 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 rebounds, there was much to be congratulated for.  Bueckers quickly gave credit to other players on the UConn team.  “It’s an honor.  I’m extremely blessed and extremely grateful that I even get to play at UConn…  But people see the points, but like a large attribution to Sarah [Strong], Jana [El Alfy], Ice [Brady], the way they were screening for me, getting me open, getting me looks.  Like everybody sees the points, but nobody sees the screens set, the passes that were found to me.  So it’s, I guess, an individual point total, but it’s really a team effort.”

In March, Caitlin Clark went home to West Des Moines, Iowa, and made a surprise visit to her alma mater, Dowling Catholic High School.  As she was walking down the spotless hall, she noticed a familiar person mopping the gym floor.  “Is that Mr. Russell?” Caitlin asked her former assistant coach.  James Russell, 80-years-old, had been the janitor at the school for over 60 years.  Clark was surprised that he was still working.  She said, “He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met.  Always made us laugh.  Always stayed late to lock up after games.  He deserves the world.”  Caitlyn found out that Mr. Russell still needed to work in order to pay his bills and keep his truck running.  Caitlin asked to meet with Principal Theresa Madden and the financial coordinator.  She made arrangements to fund a full retirement package, healthcare coverage, and a new Ford truck for Mr. Russell.  She also gave a $50,000 bonus so he could finally take the big fishing trip to Montana that he had talked about for years.  Caitlin planned to be quiet about the gifts.  Madden commented, “But how could we not celebrate such a gesture?  It’s not about money.  It’s about gratitude.  Caitlin didn’t forget the people who helped shape her.”  When Mr. Russell was surprised with his retirement package, he trembled as Clark gave him a big hug.  She told him, “You’ve always taken care of us.  Now it’s our turn.”  Russell said, “I never expected this.  I’ve watched Caitlin grow from a little girl with a big dream to the most incredible young woman.  I thought she would forget about this old janitor.  But she didn’t.  That means more to me than I can say.”  Russell then showed a picture with Caitlin  from 2018.  “Back then, I told her she was going to change the world.  Guess I was right.”  A news reporter responded, “Caitlin Clark has made her mark in sports history, but perhaps her most powerful legacy is being written not through points scored, but through lives touched.  In a world hungry for role models, she didn’t just honor a janitor – she elevated an entire generation’s understanding of what it means to be human.”

 

May we, too, remember it's always the right time to honor others with our words and deeds.

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

1 Timothy 6:18

Extra Milers

 

Lorraine Hancock knew that some of her groom’s family is deaf.  Without anyone knowing, she spent time learning sign language.  During the ceremony, even her future husband was surprised when she signed her vows so they would understand what was being said.

A Dutch supermarket designated a few slow checkout lanes for their elderly customers.  That way they could spend time talking with the cashier and not have to be rushed.  It has been such a positive experience that they have now introduced the slower checkouts in over 200 of their stores.  A few stores have even added a “Chat Corner” so the customers can drink a cup of coffee and visit.

 

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was a television show, designed for children, that ran from 1968-2001.  Created by Fred Rogers, he used his show to teach children their worth, value, about things in their world, and making our world a better place by the things we do and the way we treat people.  Once Mr. Rogers received a letter from a blind girl.  She wrote that she was concerned because she knew he had fish, but she never heard that they were being fed.  From that day on, at the end of every show, Fred Rogers would say, “I’m feeding the fish,” just for her.  Once again, Fred Rogers took the time to show that every person matters.

 

Nikki Pittenger-Bankes’ husband, battling an illness for a year, has spent the last two months in the hospital.  He was discharged on hospice.  Because of his illness, he has not seen his daughter, Mikayla, perform in the Morton High School Color Guard in person.  When the band director found out that was a desire for both father and daughter, he was determined to make it happen!  There was a special evening planned to honor Mikayla and her dad.  The band families were seated in the stands and the band and color guard were in uniform on the field, as Mikayla’s dad entered the stadium on a stretcher.  Because of Mr. Banks’ condition, he had to be transported to the stadium by ambulance.  Then the Morton High School Marching Band and Color Guard put on an amazing performance.  After a touching tribute to the father and daughter, the color guard teacher and three of Mikayla’s best friends escorted her up into the stands to be with her dad.  He presented her with balloons, flowers, and a big hug.  Teachers, students, families, OSP Hospice personnel, and AMT ambulance services all worked together to make it an extra special night for the Bankes family.

 

When it comes to helping and encouraging others, may we be willing to go the extra mile.

 

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

Touching Moments

 

Patrick McCarty is a senior at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, near Kansas City.  As an infant, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  This year Patrick has been the Team Manager for the varsity basketball team.  Without his knowing, the team members met with the coach and decided it would be a great way to honor and thank Patrick for his help by letting him wear a uniform for the last game.  Before going out on the court for Senior recognition night, the coach handed McCarty the #33 jersey and shorts and said the guys had chosen him to be the Team Captain for the game.  Another surprise was that the coach planned to put Patrick in at the end of the game, no matter whether they were ahead or behind in the score.  As #33 entered the game, for the very first time as a player, there were lots of cheers.  Patrick strategically stood a few feet in front of the basket.  When he was passed the ball, he carefully aimed, shot, and made the last basket of the game.  Both teams surrounded Patrick, patted him on the back, cheered, and congratulated him. 

Cashiers sometimes have a less than enjoyable job.  They are on their feet all day and sometimes deal with impatient customers.  But there are times where cashiers make a pleasant experience out of a less-than-ideal situation.  Lauren Walker was shopping with her young son, Alistair, at the M&S store in Glasgow, Scotland.  Already tired, Alistair began fretting.  By the time they reached the checkout line, he was pitching a fit.  Cashier Mubarak Ahmad had an idea.  He asked Lauren if he could hold her son while he scanned her items.  Alistair was fascinated with the beeping and movement of the groceries and began to settle down.  By doing more than expected, Mubarak made shopping a better experience for Alistair and his mom.

 

A few weeks ago, Mr. Green and his wife, Sofia, stopped at Arby’s, in Sun City, Arizona, to eat a quick dinner.  There were several people in the lines.  They noticed an older man and his wife placing their order.  The man was wearing a cap with “Marines” on the back.  His hands were shaking as he slowly counted out change for one $6 special to share with his wife.  Seeing this, Green quickly cut the line.  He placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and said, “Semper Fi Marine.  Thank you for your service.  This is on me.”   Placing a $20 bill on the counter, Green had them add other items to their order.  The couple was teary eyed, as were the other people waiting in line to place their order.  After getting their meal, Green noticed that the older couple, Rick and Margaret, had saved a place at their table for them.  “What started out as a quick evening meal ended up being an hour and a half long dinner engagement.  I learned that he had slugged it out on both Saipan and later on Iwo Jima as a 19-year-old, with Purple Hearts from both actions.  For me, some days don’t get better than this.”

 

May we all take time to reach out to invest in and help others.

 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16