I recently read a detailed description of a boomerang that interested me mainly because I was clueless about how it works. I learned that this interesting contraption is made from two blades – called arms – connected at the proper angle, each arm serving as an airfoil. An airfoil is a curved structure designed to do one thing – to lift.

 

This information on boomerangs was shared in the final session of a Bible study of the 24:7 Small Group. Entitled Listen – Love – Repeat – Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World, the author, Karen Ehman began the study by exploring the age-old “Big Why?” question – “Why are we here?” Her answer was “Relationships” – we are on Earth for two reasons: to have a relationship with God, who offers us a place in Heaven, and to take every opportunity to point others to Jesus so they will spend eternity in Heaven, too.

 

Throughout the study, we were encouraged to “Live Alert!” as we “listen, love, and repeat” with kindness in our relationships with others. The final session – entitled “The Boomerang of Blessing”– reminded us that if we use our two outstretched arms in kindness to lift others up, the “boomerang of blessing” often lands right back in our lives!

 

 

This week’s Kindness entry: These days the bad news seems to be much greater than the good news. With that thought in mind, we probably need to remember statements like this that a mother once said to her young son when he would see scary things in the news: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,” she said. And you know what? She was right!

 

 

 

These days the bad news seems to be much greater than the good news. With that thought in mind, we probably need to remember statements like this that a mother once said to her young son when he would see scary things in the news: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,” she said. And you know what? She was right!

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The recipient’s response to an act of kindness often catches us by surprise. This was the case in a story I recently read by a woman who was in the depths of sadness due to the loss of a family member when she encountered the clerk at a coffee shop. The clerk was distressed because the coffee machine was down, and she was unable to brew and serve hot coffee. The woman ordered a cold brew and told the clerk to “hang in there”. When she picked up her order, she noticed a message on the cup: The clerk had scrawled next to a heart, “your soul is golden.” The clerk had no idea of what the woman was going through, but the warmth of that small and unexpected gesture, from a stranger moved her deeply. Though still sad, the woman said. “That gesture made the rest of my day.”

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At the checkout counter a few days after Christmas, I was surprised at the response of the young female clerk – just a teenager – when I asked if she had a good Christmas. Her reply was “No, I didn’t”. This caught me by surprise, and I said, “I’m sorry”, to which her response was, “You don’t have to be sorry – it wasn’t your fault!” I do not know anything about the circumstances of this young lady, but this experience served as a reminder to me of the great need we have for kindness in our world – a simple silent prayer when we encounter situations like this could make a big difference to someone who is hurting!

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and I wanted to give you some!”

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While shopping in Dollar General this week, a lady came up to me and handed me a colorful “calling card from Jesus” that had the message of John 3:16 on it followed by “I Love You!- Jesus”. We shared from our faith for a few minutes, then I thanked her for her kindness. She responded that she liked to hand the cards out with a silent prayer that the Holy Spirit would touch that person’s life – I hope she could tell by my reaction that she is being very effective with her ministry!

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This week’s Kindness entry came as a written message that was left in the Library after the Youth Class Jesus Love You “Snow Much” bulletin board was removed; the message found its way into the Kindness box in the window: “Please, Please, Save Me – Everyone loves what I say to them! Thank you Snow Much!”;

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As parents, we consider it an act of kindness when we receive indications that our adult children are making wise choices in their selection of friends. I was blessed to have that feeling recently when my daughter’s friend shared with me from her devotional time with her children as she drove them to school one morning.

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I read this amazing story about kindness and wanted to share it:

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While eating at Chick-fil-A this week, I noticed a young mother with two young daughters who looked like they could be twins sitting a couple of booths from me. When their food was delivered to their table one of the girls said a bold “Thank You” to the server. When I got up to leave, I stopped at their table to let the girls know what good manners they have (and all three of them thanked me!). I looked at the young mother and said, “You’re doing a good job!” It made her smile – I hope it made her day!

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“Lise from the McCormick Humane Society was so kind to drop by straw for all of my homeless kitties that I take care of”. This one act of kindness created more positive outcomes for these animals and touched the heart of their caregiver.

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One of this week’s Kindness entries prompted these thoughts about “Secret Santas” because Santa himself communicated online with us via McCormick UMC’s Kindness Link! You will see below that he was seeking volunteers to help him during his recent visit to the Town of McCormick. Barb Shelley, McCormick UMC’s Communications Coordinator, put Santa in touch with someone from the Humane Society of McCormick County – this Kindness Link came through to help Santa out!

 

This was Santa’s message: I will be in McCormick this coming weekend and am looking for some additional volunteers for Saturday. We will be set up to have a photo taken with Santa in front of the MACK from 1:30-3:30 PM before the parade and tree lighting ceremony. All the proceeds from the $15/sitting paid photos are going to benefit the Humane Society of McCormick County. Last Saturday, we did the same photo event for Greenwood County’s shelter and raised $530.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Jennie Brantley, JAG Coordinator at McCormick High School: My students are working on a special kindness project. We will be letting our McCormick UMC friends know about it soon, so be on the lookout!