Making a Difference

Making a Difference

When our children were in elementary school I began participating in a program called, “Academic Volunteers”.  The goal of the program was to include members of the community in the educational process of children attending school by volunteering to assist teachers in the classroom.  

On one particular day I was volunteering in a 3rd grade class, I worked with several students on a math worksheet, then assisted several other students with their “word work”, which was basically helping them to sort their words into known sounds.  As I was walking to my next class I noticed a young 3rd grade boy sitting outside his classroom.  I could tell by his posture that he was struggling with his assignment, so I asked him if he needed any help.  

With a big smile on his face, he said, “Sure, I could use some help, my teacher sent me outside of the class because I didn’t finish my homework.  I just didn’t understand what to do, so I didn’t finish it.”  I grabbed a chair and sat beside him for a few minutes.  Together  we read the instructions and then began to tackle the math problems.  To be honest, I’m not exactly a math wizard, and the “new math” at the time was not something I was not used to dealing with, but we gave it a good effort and by the time his math class was over, we were able to complete the assignment.  He was so grateful that he could go back to class with his completed homework, he said a heartfelt, “thank you.”  

As I continued to volunteer at the school, I would notice him out in the hallway quite often.  Of course each time I saw him, I would stop by and check to see if he needed help and would spend just a few minutes guiding him back to his assignment and keeping him focused on the task at hand.  He was always so easy to talk with and just seemed to need a comforting voice to encourage him.  

On occasion we would see each other out shopping at the grocery store and he would be so delighted to see me.  Just seeing the smile on his face made all the difference in the world.  Something so simple as taking the time to ask, listen and make a difference in someone’s life, perhaps that’s worth so much more than we give it credit.  

As the years went by, our paths would continue to cross.  One day I was walking through our neighborhood and I saw a car with two people inside slowing down as it came close to where I was walking.  The car stopped and the driver rolled down the window, it was the same little boy I had worked with years ago, but now he was so excited, he called out, “Hey, I’m getting my driver’s license soon, I’m practicing driving.”  It was so wonderful to see him and to see what progress he had made in his life.  One simple act of kindness had made an impact on his life, and mine too.  

A few years later we would see each other again, he was graduating from high school and was preparing to go to college.  Wow, from this little boy who struggled with his elementary school homework, to this amazing young man heading off to college, he was growing up.  He shared with me his dream of a career in the government and was looking forward to attending a local college in the fall.  My heart beamed with pride for him.

Four years later, we would see each other again and he told me that he would be graduating from college soon.  In addition, he had secured an internship with the United States Air Force that would be starting after his graduation.  He had made his dream come true!

A simple act of kindness, asking someone if they need help.  You never know what lasting impact your kindness will have on someone.  I don’t know if I will ever see this young man again, but I know that he will make a difference in this world, he will take the time to ask, listen and make a difference in someone’s life because someone did that for him.

Never think that you cannot make a difference, it doesn’t take a lot to do something extra, it does however take a thought.   Take a moment today to recognize how you can make a difference, in your own home, in your community, and in your world. 

Hebrews 13:1-2 commands us to “Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”  

Ask, Listen and Make a difference!

Life According to Fred Rogers

Life According to Fred Rogers

In light of recent events, I often wonder what Mr. Fred Rogers would want to tell the children of the world today.  

For those of you who were fortunate enough to grow up with Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, you may recall his calming, comforting and encouraging ways in which he addressed certain feelings, situations or current events.  It was ok to have feelings of anger, frustration or sadness, but choosing to turn those feelings into hurtful or harmful outlets was not appropriate.   He, as we all should, wanted children to be able to express themselves and their feelings in a healthy way that would not hurt them or anyone else.  He had this amazing way of looking into the television camera and making you feel as though you were the only one in the room at that time and whatever feelings you had, were important to him.  To Mr. Rogers you mattered!

When Mr. Rogers was a little boy and  would see scary things in the news, his mother would say to him, “Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.”  To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” we can all find comfort in his mother’s words realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in this world.  

You don’t have to wait for a disaster to hit before helping others, each day offers opportunities to be of help.  Caring for others sets a great example for your children to learn that serving others is an extension of your faith in action.  

There are endless ways for us to care for God’s people.  Take some time to teach your children that caring for others not only fulfills God’s word but helps us to be better people as we take the focus of attention away from ourselves and place it on those in need.  

Zechariah 7:9-10 says, “This is what the Lord Almighty says:  Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the aliens or the poor.  In your hearts do not think evil of each other.”  

Mr. Rogers said that, “I hope you will feel good enough about yourselves that you will want to minister to others, and that you will find your own unique ways to do that.  You don’t ever have to do anything sensational for people to love you.  . . .life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch.  There is a deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot service: love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”  

The most important thing we can do is to teach our children to be caring and compassionate, showing mercy and grace  to all God’s people.

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