Caring People

I was listening to K-LOVE again today and heard an inspiring story that I wanted to share.

Recently some grandparents had heard that their 3-year old grandchild was killed by the mother's live-in boyfriend (OK, that's not inspiring - keep reading).  The mother decided to donate the boy's organs to other people who needed it.  The grandfather wanted to be around for moral support and to offer whatever help he could. 

The couple went to the airport 2 hrs early, but still barely made the first plane, for whatever reason.  The grandfather, because of some delayed layovers was about to miss the last plane that got him to his final plane to get to his final destination.  He should have missed his plane.  He arrived at the gate 12 minutes late.  Yet, what he found at the gate shocked him.  He found the gate attendant and the plane still there.  The gate attendant asked, "Are you Mark?" to which the grandfather replied in the affirmative.  "The pilot held the plane for you."  When Mark asked to speak to the pilot (who had apparently heard of the situation), the pilot replied, "The plane wasn't  going to leave without me and I wasn't going to leave without you."

What a great example of how much God loves each and every one of us and how He loves it when we love others as He would.  Thank God for caring people.

You are AWESOME!

Kindness and Beauty

I just had the opportunity to give one of my friends who I've never met, Natalie Ledwell, feedback for her upcoming book.   She asked a couple of questions and, though I didn't have the best answers for her, I felt happy to help someone out whom I admire.  I like to help people however I can.  Obviously, my time is limited (I only have 24 hours each day) and my money only goes so far (no matter how much), but I can do a little.

This reminds me of an inspirational story I once heard.  It was of a man picking starfish off the beach.  He would pick one up and throw it back into the ocean.  This man continued to pick one up and throw it back into the ocean.  Another man came looked to see how many more starfish were on the beach.  He asked the other man why he bothered - there were so many starfish.  How could he possibly make a difference?  The first man said that he made a difference to that one.

My point of all of this is that you can't be everything to the world, but you can be something to somebody.  In fact, you can be the world to somebody.  I know that's the case with my son.  He LOVES people, but no matter how many people he comes in contact with each day, mommy's his best friend.  I'm not only his best friend, but also source of food (in two ways), maid to clean up after him and his favorite playmate.

No matter how many people and how many ways we CAN'T help that we would like to (whether it be with time, money or other resources), there are that many if not more ways we CAN help.  Giving a smile or compliment is something we all can do, no matter how strapped for cash or time we are.  We can give up a seat on a bus or train.  We can do SO much more than we realize. 

Please, just try to do what you CAN do - many will thank you for it.  You will feel better, too.

You are AWESOME!

Kindness - Small acts of

Though I did mention one of my frustrations in one of my posts My Christmas Wish, I DO notice kindness, especially around this time of year.  I noticed people being more compassionate to others and their plight.  This time of year when people are struggling, others notice.  Sub for Santas are even common.  Most times a year, many pretend not to care, but around Christmas, people care.  I like this concern for others.  I'm glad when we show love and consideration.  

I think many people live a life of quiet desperation and I am inspired when we can reach out to others in times of need.  Most times are, in fact, times of need for most of us.  We need people and they need us.  My hope is that we can all be kind to one another year-round.

You are AWESOME!