Shay

Shay: God’s Plan   Author Unknown

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves disabled children, the father of one of the school’s students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. “Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God’s plan reflected in my son?” The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. “I believe,” the father answered, “that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child.” Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.

Shay asked, “Do you think they will let me play?”

Shay’s father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play.

 The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, “We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and I’ll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning.”

 In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?

 Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that this was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.

 Everyone started yelling, “Shay, run to first. Run to first.”

Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled “Run to second, run to second!”

 By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher’s intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head.

 Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third!”

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, “Shay! Run home.”

Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a “grand slam” and winning the game for his team.

 “That day,” said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,” the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world.”

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The obvious Bible passage that correlates with this story is Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  That verse is a wonderful life philosophy, isn’t it?  However, I am going to go in a different direction today.

Today, I have a message for someone out there in computer land.  Today I want to let you know that you are perfect just the way you are.  God did know what He was doing when He made you.  Your differences are what make you unique.  Your differences are part of His plan.  He will use you because of them, not in spite of them.  Psalm 139:14 is a thought for you to grasp and hold tightly: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  You are His work and you are wonderfully made!

Blessed is the man (or woman) whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca [weeping], They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm  84:5-7)  Remember that your strength is in Him, not in yourself.  You can do what He is asking you to do because you will be doing it in His strength, not your own.  You can walk out that front door.  You can walk into that place.  You can show His love to those who seem unloving and unlovable.  You can be His light in a dark place.  You can turn your tears into a spring of sustenance for others.

You can!   Have a blessed day!

Toast

 

Toast- author unknown

Hank and Laura had been married for over thirty years. Their lives had settled into a comfortable routine and they seemed very content.  Now that Hank was retired, he started each day by making them a big breakfast.  While he worked, he had only been able to do this on the weekends, so he was excited to be able to do this during the week also.  For him, this was a way of expressing his love for Laura by beginning the day by serving her.  Laura was a hard worker, keeping their house looking wonderful, taking care of many of the daily details of running a home and he was more than grateful for her skills.  He wanted her to begin the day with some relaxation time while he waited on her.  So, being able to do this seven days a week rather than just two was very gratifying for him.

One morning, about two weeks after his retirement, he proudly brought a plate of eggs, hash browns, and toast to his sleepy wife.  He sat it down in front of her, kissed her on her forehead and went back to the stove to dish up his own breakfast.  To his amazement, when he turned around, he saw his wife in tears.  He rushed over to her, crying, “Honey, what ever is wrong?”

It took a few minutes, but finally Laura told him something that shocked him.  “For thirty years, you have given me crustless toast.  I could handle it when it was only two days a week, but now every single day you get the best part of the breakfast. I just don’t know if I can handle such selfish behavior every day!”  She burst into even bigger tears.

Hank was stunned!  He sat quietly for a moment and then he, too, began to cry.  “Oh, Laura, why didn’t you say anything?  All these years, I cut off the crust because I thought you didn’t like it!”

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Today’s story brings up two more aspects of healthy relationship:  communication and putting others first.  Without both traits, a relationship can flounder, as seen by poor Hank and Laura’s experience.  Hank was definitely doing his part to put Laura first, serving her faithfully all those years.  Yet, his act of service was tainted because Laura did not do her part in communicating her feelings to him.  I can only imagine the undercurrent of resentment that built up in her and how it affected their relationship.  Had she asked him early on why he cut the crust off or if she could please have her toast with the crust left on, how might their relationship have been even better?

I have heard many such stories and have been amazed by them.  One friend found out two years into her marriage that her husband hated split pea soup.  She had made it frequently because when they were dating he had praised her soup when she served it to him.  He thought if he told her he didn’t like it, she would be offended.  He didn’t see that there is a difference in not liking a particular food and not liking someone’s cooking.  Another story was told when a friend was counseling a couple.  The man said his wife wasn’t meeting his needs.  Through skilled probing by the counselor, you won’t believe what came up.  Seriously, you won’t!  His wife lovingly made his lunch every day, but she cut his sandwich from side to side rather than corner to corner.  When he was a boy, his mom cut sandwiches from corner to corner, all the while telling him how much she loved him.  He associated love with corner cuts!

Proverbs 24:26 tells us that an honest answer is like a kiss on the lip.  To me, that describes wholesome communication.  Being honest doesn’t have to be hurtful; there is usually a tactful way to express what needs to be said.  That type of honesty is definitely like a kiss.  That type of honesty nurtures rather than cuts down.

I’m sure you have already guessed the scripture I am going to use to illustrate the concept of putting others first:  Luke 6:31.  Often called the Golden Rule, it says simply, “ Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  Oh, what a different world it would be if every human being followed this rule!  In a relationship, when both people live by this philosophy, both have their needs met consistently.

So, today look for ways to improve relationships through honest communication and selfless actions.

Have a blessed day!

The Wooden Bowl

 

The Wooden Bowl- author unknown

A frail old man went to live  with his son, daughter-in-law law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands  trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate  together at the table, but the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing  sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law law became irritated  with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather, ” said the son. “I’ve  had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” Therefore,  the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.

There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of  the family enjoyed dinner. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food  was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s  direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only  words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or  spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One  evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on  the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?”

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh,  I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was  spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’s  hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the  tablecloth soiled.

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Did a scripture verse pop into your head while you were reading this story?  The one that popped into my head was Luke 6:31, which says, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”  The phrase ‘out of the mouths of babes’ also popped into my head.  Have you ever had a random observation by a child stop you in your tracks?  I certainly have!  How humbling it is when an innocent child calls you to task for your actions or words.  They usually don’t even realize they have done it, which makes it even more impacting to me.

How lonely and humiliated the grandfather in the story must have felt until his children realized what they had done and brought him back to the fold.  How blessed the entire family must have been once he was again sitting at the table and sharing meals with his loved ones.  That little grandson is described in Matthew 5:9, which says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  He didn’t even realize what he was doing, but his innocent actions and words brought joy and peace into his home.

Today, if you come across someone who grates you the wrong way, think of this little boy and look for a way to bless them instead of reacting to their grating behavior.  Be a peacemaker, a child of God!

Have a blessed day!

The Law of the Garbage Truck

The Law of the Garbage Truck- Author Unknown

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.  My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you.  Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so….. ‘Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don’t.  Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.’

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How often are your days filled with garbage?  How often do you let it tarnish your day and affect your relationships with others?  It is so very easy to do.  I love the analogy in this story which relates my tarnished interactions to garbage, for that is just what they are.  Luke 6:31 tells us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  I definitely don’t appreciate it when I am treated to the garbage-like attitudes of those around me.  Why, then, is it so easy for me to treat them to my garbage?

On the flip side, why do I empower the garbage of others to tarnish my day?  My goal is to be more and more like the taxi driver and let their garbage roll right off me with no effect on my day.  Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”  I see in these verses that we have the power to change the garbage of others, to turn it into a blessing on them rather than a curse.  Have you ever tried heaping coals of kindness on the head of a cranky store clerk?  I just love to watch their frown turn upside down as they respond to a positive attitude and the kindness of a stranger!  This is the power of forgiveness.  When I forgive the garbage others throw at me, I am able to neutralize it or even turn it into a blessing.

Today, look for opportunities to turn stinky garbage into sweet-smelling incense as you heap coals of kindness and forgiveness on the heads of those around you, no matter how they may be acting or treating you in the beginning!  Have a blessed day!

A Slice of Life: A Christmas Story

 

 

A Slice of Life- By Carol McAdoo Rehme

Jean heaved another world-weary sigh. Tucking a strand of shiny black hair behind her ear, she frowned at the teetering tower of Christmas cards waiting to be signed. What was the point? How could she sign only one name? A “couple” required two people, and she was just one.

The legal separation from Don had left her feeling vacant and incomplete. Maybe she would skip the cards this year. And the holiday decorating. Truthfully, even a tree felt like more than she could manage. She had canceled out of the caroling party and the church nativity pageant. Christmas was to be shared, and she had no one to share it with.

The doorbell’s insistent ring startled her. Padding to the door in her thick socks, Jean cracked it open against the frigid December night. She peered into the empty darkness of the porch. Instead of a friendly face — something she could use about now — she found only a jaunty green gift bag perched on the railing. From whom? she wondered. And why?

Under the bright kitchen light, she pulled out handfuls of shredded gold tinsel, feeling for a gift. Instead, her fingers plucked an envelope from the bottom. Tucked inside was a typed letter. It was a…story?

The little boy was new to the Denmark orphanage, and Christmas was drawing near, Jean read. Already caught up in the tale, she settled into a kitchen chair.

From the other children, he heard tales of a wondrous tree that would appear in the hall on Christmas Eve and of the scores of candles that would light its branches. He heard stories of the mysterious benefactor who made it possible each year.

The little boy’s eyes opened wide at the mere thought of all that splendor. The only Christmas tree he had ever seen was through the fogged windows of other people’s homes. There was even more, the children insisted. More? Oh, yes! Instead of the orphanage’s regular fare of gruel, they would be served fragrant stew and crusty, hot bread that special night.

Last, and best of all, the little boy learned, each of them would receive a holiday treat. He would join the line of children to get his very own….

Jean turned the page. Instead of a continuation, she was startled to read: “Everyone needs to celebrate Christmas, wouldn’t you agree? Watch for Part II.” She refolded the paper while a faint smile teased the corner of her mouth.

The next day was so busy that Jean forgot all about the story. That evening, she rushed home from work. If she hurried, she’d probably have enough time to decorate the mantle. She pulled out the box of garland, only to drop it when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, she found herself looking at a red gift bag. She reached for it eagerly and pulled out the piece of paper.

…to get his very own orange, Jean read. An orange? That’s a treat? she thought incredulously.

An orange! Of his very own? Yes, the others assured him. There would be one apiece. The boy closed his eyes against the wonder of it all. A tree. Candles. A filling meal. And an orange of his very own.

He knew the smell, tangy sweet, but only the smell. He had sniffed oranges at the merchant’s stall in the marketplace. Once he had even dared to rub a single finger over the brilliant, pocked skin. He fancied for days that his hand still smelled of orange. But to taste one, to eat one? Heaven.

The story ended abruptly, but Jean didn’t mind. She knew more would follow.

The next evening, Jean waited anxiously for the sound of the doorbell. She wasn’t disappointed. This time, though, the embossed gold bag was heavier than the others had been. She tore into the envelope resting on top of the tissue paper.

Christmas Eve was all the children had been promised. The piney scent of fir competed with the aroma of lamb stew and homey yeast bread. Scores of candles diffused the room with golden halos. The boy watched in amazement as each child in turn eagerly claimed an orange and politely said “thank you.”

The line moved quickly, and he found himself in front of the towering tree and the equally imposing headmaster.

“Too bad, young man, too bad. But the count was in before you arrived. It seems there are no more oranges. Next year. Yes, next year you will receive an orange.”

Brokenhearted, the orphan raced up the stairs empty-handed to bury both his face and his tears beneath his pillow.

Wait! This wasn’t how she wanted the story to go. Jean felt the boy’s pain, his aloneness.

The boy felt a gentle tap on his back. He tried to still his sobs. The tap became more insistent until, at last, he pulled his head from under the pillow.

He smelled it before he saw it. A cloth napkin rested on the mattress. Tucked inside was a peeled orange, tangy sweet. It was made of segments saved from the others. A slice donated from each child. Together they added up to make one whole, complete fruit.

An orange of his very own.

Jean swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks. From the bottom of the gift bag she pulled out an orange — a foil-covered chocolate orange–already separated into segments. And for the first time in weeks, she smiled. Really smiled.

She set about making copies of the story, wrapping individual slices of the chocolate orange. There was Mrs. Potter across the street, spending her first Christmas alone in 58 years. There was Melanie down the block, facing her second round of radiation. Her running partner, Jan, single-parenting a difficult teen. Lonely Mr. Bradford losing his eyesight, and Sue, sole care-giver to an aging mother….

A piece from her might help make one whole.

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So many people struggle with the holiday season, just as Melanie did.  There is so often an emptiness because of missing loved ones, whether they have left your life permanently due to death or divorce, or temporarily due to an assignment overseas or a move.

I, too, have had empty places at the holidays.  My father passed away at the beginning of December about 20 years ago.  My uncle passed away less than two weeks ago.  However, I know both of them well enough that I know they would not want my holiday season to be a time of sadness.  They would both want me to remember the reason for this season, Christ coming to earth for us.  So, instead of allowing the sadness to take hold, I choose to do something for someone else in their honor.  And, in doing so, by bringing joy into someone else’s life, I bring joy into my own!

Luke 6:31 is so appropriate this time of year.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

‘Do’ kindness, thoughtfulness, love unto others, especially those who may be struggling. And always keep in mind that many people will hide or camouflage their sadness.  We may never know who we touch with gestures of kindness in this season.  People who seem to have it all together, but are hiding broken spirits.  People who put on a cloak of joviality to mask a spirit of despair.   May we all spread His joy this season!

Have a blessed day!

Personality Kudos: Part 2, Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me,
even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for
something good that happened in your life yesterday, but I noticed you were
to busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work. So I
waited.

When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few
minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy.

At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit
in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet,
and I thought you wanted to talk to me, but
you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.

I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all
your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk
to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You glanced three or four
tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly
before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay, there is still more time left,
and I have hope that you will talk to me even yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few
of them were done you turned on the TV. I don’t know if you like TV or not,
just about anything goes there; you spend a lot of time each day in front
of it, not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited
patiently again as you watched TV and ate your meal, but again you didn’t
talk to me.

As you did your homework I waited again, as you did what you had to do. At
bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family
you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay, because you
may not realize that I am always there for you.

I’ve got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how
to be patient with others as well. Because I love you so much, a long time
ago I left a wonderful place called Heaven and came to Earth. I gave it up
so that I could be ridiculed and made fun of. I even died so you wouldn’t
have to take my place. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, a
prayer, a thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a
one-sided conversation.

Well, you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but
love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend,
Jesus
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Ouch! How often am I that person? How often do I go through my day without spending time with my best friend? And how amazing that He is still willing to be my best friend?!

Friendship- true, deep and meaningful friendship is the next trait I discussed with my students. So many friendships are shallow, fair weather friendships and my students often had only experienced these. But true friendship is more than just having fun with each other- so much more. Here are just a few of the things the Bible has to say on this subject:

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”

Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 18:24 is my favorite: A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Those friends who stick closer than a brother, the ones who are with us through thick and thin, good times and bad times are rare. They are the ones who can see us at our worst and still love us. They are the ones who love us enough to hold us accountable and tell us hard truths in a loving way. They are incredibly valuable just because they are so rare. My goal is to be that kind of friend and I take my lessons from the best friend of all, Jesus!

Have a blessed day!

 

Growing Good Corn by Steve Goodier

James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well, illustrates how it benefits to everyone when we mutually help each other. He relates a story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his best corn in the regional fair where it won a blue ribbon.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him to learn about how he grew blue-ribbon corn year after year. The reporter discovered something interesting. He learned that the farmer actually shared his best seed corn with his neighbors.

“How can you afford to share your best seeds with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition against yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

It’s a simple and important principle. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves. He cannot succeed simply by watching out for Number One. He succeeds best by helping his neighbors succeed. That’s mutualism.

And I am aware that it goes for me, too. Do I want to succeed? Then I must help others to succeed.

Do I want to live in peace and harmony? Then I need to help my neighbors also live in peace, and the very peace they experience will add to my own.

Do I want to live meaningfully and well? Then I should help to enrich the lives of others, for my own happiness and well-being is bound up in the lives I touch.

In other words, if I want to grow good corn, I need to help my neighbors grow good corn. Call it mutualism. Call it a principle of success. Call it a law of life. I only know that none of us truly wins until we all win.
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Mutualism. The Principle of Success. What a wonderful concept. If we help others to have what we want, we get it too. I have a business that is like that. I only succeed when I help others succeed. And since God has given me an intrinsic desire to make life better for others, that particular business is a perfect fit.

I think that Jesus started this concept of mutualism. Remember when He said in Luke 6:31, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” Just imagine a world in which everyone treated others the way they themselves wanted to be treated. A world in which every person worked for the success of others, not just themselves. What an amazing world that would be. Well, we can start that principle in our corner of the world. If each of you reading join me in doing so (knowing that many of you already do this, of course), I wonder how long it would take before the ripples of our efforts would affect the tide pool of our community and the ocean of our world. Food for thought, isn’t it?

Have a blessed day!

Do Unto Others

Do Unto Others- author unknown

He was driving home one evening, on a two lane country road. Work in this
small Midwestern community, was almost as slow as his beat up Pontiac, but
he never quit looking. Ever since the factory closed, he’d been unemployed,
and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home.

It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless
they were leaving town. Most of his friends had already left. They had
families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this
was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and he knew the
country.

He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and
with his lights not working, which came in handy. It was starting to get
dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He’d better get a move on.

You know, he almost didn’t see the old lady, stranded on the side of the
road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he
pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still
sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help
for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe, he
looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out
there in the cold.

He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He
said, “I’m here to help you ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s
warm? By the way, my name is Bryan,”

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough.
Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning
his knuckles a time or two.

Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands
hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and
began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only
just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk.

She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right
with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have
happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about the money. This
was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there
were plenty who had given him a hand in the past.

He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act
any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the
next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the
assistance that they needed, and Bryan added, “And think of me.” He waited
until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing
day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a
bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip
home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The
whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone
of an out of work actor, it didn’t ring much.

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She
had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day
couldn’t erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months
pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The
old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a
stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for
her hundred-dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone
by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be,
then she noticed something written on the napkin under which was four 100
bills.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It said:
“You don’t owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me
out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is
what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you,”

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve,
but she never stopped thinking about the lady. That night when she got home
from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what
the lady had written.

How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With
the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her
husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss
and whispered soft and low, “Everything’s gonna be all right. I love you,
Bryan.”
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Probably one of the most famous verses in the Scriptures is Luke 6:31, called The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  It is a beautiful life philosophy and one that greatly impacts the world when it is followed and acted upon.
We don’t always get the kind of payback that was in this story for following this rule, but I wonder how often we would be surprised at the impact this rule has on the world. I love the concept of ‘Pay it Forward,’ that I’ve seen in videos and articles in the past few years. If we all ‘pay it forward’ without worrying about the immediate payback for us, what a great world this will be!

Today, look for ways to pay it forward.  They may seem small to you, but their impact on others is often magnified a thousand times.  A smile and a kind word can change a day, even a life.

Have a blessed day!

The Law of the Garbage Truck

The Law of the Garbage Truck- Author Unknown

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.  My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you.  Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so….. ‘Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don’t.  Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.’

***********************************************************************************************

How often are your days filled with garbage?  How often do you let it tarnish your day and affect your relationships with others?  It is so very easy to do.  I love the analogy in this story which relates my tarnished interactions to garbage, for that is just what they are.  Luke 6:31 tells us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  I definitely don’t appreciate it when I am treated to the garbage-like attitudes of those around me.  Why, then, is it so easy for me to treat them to my garbage?

On the flip side, why do I empower the garbage of others to tarnish my day?  My goal is to be more and more like the taxi driver and let their garbage roll right off me with no effect on my day.  Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”  I see in these verses that we have the power to change the garbage of others, to turn it into a blessing on them rather than a curse.  Have you ever tried heaping coals of kindness on the head of a cranky store clerk?  I just love to watch their frown turn upside down as they respond to a positive attitude and the kindness of a stranger!

Today, look for opportunities to turn stinky garbage into sweet-smelling incense as you heap coals of kindness on the heads of those around you, no matter how they may be acting or treating you in the beginning!  Have a blessed day!

Flowers on the Bus

Flowers on the Bus by Jean Hendrichson

We were a very motley crowd of people who took the bus every day that summer 33 years ago. During the early morning ride from the suburb, we sat drowsily with our collars up to our ears, a cheerless and taciturn bunch.

One of the passengers was a small grey man who took the bus to the center for senior citizens every morning. He walked with a stoop and a sad look on his face when he, with some difficulty, boarded the bus and sat down alone behind the driver. No one ever paid very much attention to him.

Then one July morning he said good morning to the driver and smiled shortsightedly down through the bus before he sat down. The driver nodded guardedly. The rest of us were silent.

The next day, the old man boarded the bus energetically, smiled and said in a loud voice: “And a very good morning to you all!” Some of us looked up, amazed, and murmured “Good morning,” in reply.

The following weeks we were more alert. Our friend was now dressed in a nice old suit and a wide out-of-date tie. The thin hair had been carefully combed. He said good morning to us every day and we gradually began to nod and talk to each other.

One morning he had a bunch of wild flowers in his hand. They were already dangling a little because of the heat. The driver turned around smilingly and asked: “Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?” We never got to know if his name really was “Charlie”, but he nodded shyly and said yes.

The other passengers whistled and clapped at him. Charlie bowed and waved the flowers before he sat down on his seat.

Every morning after that Charlie always brought a flower. Some of the regular passengers began bringing him flowers for his bouquet, gently nudged him and said shyly: “Here.” Everyone smiled. The men started to jest about it, talk to each other, and share the newspaper.

The summer went by, and autumn was closing in, when one morning Charlie wasn’t waiting at his usual stop. When he wasn’t there the next day and the day after that, we started wondering if he was sick or — hopefully — on holiday somewhere.

When we came nearer to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. We all held our breaths when she went to the door.

Yes, the staff said, they knew who we were talking about. The elderly gentleman was fine, but he hadn’t been coming to the center that week. One of his very close friends had died at the weekend. They expected him back on Monday. How silent we were the rest of the way to work.

The next Monday Charlie was waiting at the stop, stooping a bit more, a little bit more grey, and without a tie. He seemed to have shrunk again. Inside the bus was a silence akin to that in a church. Even though no one had talked about it, all those of us, who he had made such an impression on that summer, sat with our eyes filled with tears and a bunch of wild flowers in our hands. **************************************************************************************************************************************** So many lessons that could be pulled from that story! The first thing I noticed was how in the beginning everyone on the bus was shut off in their own little worlds, no interaction between them, just riding the bus everyday to get from point A to point B. Charlie changed that- his joy in the new relationship he had was so big, he was not able to contain it. And as that joy bubbled out of him, the folk on the bus caught it. Eye contact was made, greetings were exchanged and relationships began to form. A boring and cheerless ride became something to look forward to. Joy is, indeed, contagious- I don’t know too many people who, when hearing the joyful chortle of a small child, can keep from smiling or chuckling themselves. It reminds me of the last phrase of Nehemiah 8:10 when Nehemiah tells the people not to grieve because “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” There is a great song based on this verse, a song which has the most joyful melody and makes me smile every time I hear it. (You might want to thank God that this blog is in printed form because I am singing it right now and it is truly a joyful noise! My singing is beautiful only to small children and my Lord:)

The writer in me wants to continue that story, wants that return to a sad, shrunken man and or this not to be the end. In my version, the people of the bus begin to exemplify Luke 6:31 (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you). If I were on the bus that day, I would hope that I would move over to Charlie and take his hand, cry with him, let him talk about his loved one and remember the good times, place my flowers in his hand for him to place on her grave….oh there are so many things I could do. The point would be to let him know that he wasn’t alone, that the whole bus of people cared for him and would walk with him through that time of grief. That we would lift him up when he felt he couldn’t go on, that we would love to hear about her whenever he had the need to remember. That he was no longer invisible to us, nor we to each other…all because of him. Just like one flame in a dark stadium which starts a chain reaction of candle lighting candle can in a very short time light up the entire stadium, one person by reaching out with a smile or a greeting can light up the whole world when that is paid forward. So, today when you see someone who is lacking joy, be it a crabby sales clerk, or a grumpy neighbor, think of Charlie. Pay it forward with a smile, a greeting, or a kind word- let’s do our part to spread light and joy through our world.

Have a blessed day!