Lemons to Loot

 “Do good always and share with others. These sacrifices please God." ~ Hebrews 13:16

The term ‘entrepreneur’ conjures up images of experienced, successful individuals who arrived at a point in their lives when they felt confident to take new risks and face new challenges.  But for some kids, the spirit of ‘free’ enterprise catches on at an early age.

When Wyatt first saw the parade of motorcycles passing his family’s home, he got a refreshing idea to attract some of the thousands of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally riders.  In 2019, with a huge flag, a clever sales pitch, and cuteness factor way off the charts, he opened a ‘free’ lemonade stand to raise some money to buy himself a rocket-ship Lego set.

He loves people; especially the bikers.  Apparently, they love him back.

Some took the lemonade he offered in exchange for a donation.  Others just stuffed $5, $10, and $20 bills into his donation jar.  Soon he’d collected enough money to get his toy building blocks… and give $200 to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Inspired by the sweet taste of success, Wyatt aimed higher.  With some financial advice from his parents, he developed a business plan that 50% of what he earned should go to his college fund, 30% to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and 20% to buy a dirt bike.

The 8-year-old’s stand became a must-stop destination for many attending this year’s 81^st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  Earnings skyrocketed thanks to thousands of shares on social media and even national news coverage of his efforts. 

It did more than make money – it’s hoping to change lives. 

He reportedly donated over $31,000 to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – “because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago.  They won't stop until no child dies from cancer.

Touched by his efforts, two local riding groups banded together to surprise the ‘Kidpreneur’ with a dirt bike.  The rest went into his college fund.

Wyatt Dennis, the Lemonade Kid, is now a Rock Star.  But let’s not forgot the kid’s amazing parents, Robin and Devin, who saw an opportunity to encourage hard work and help teach empathy and social responsibility to their son.

“We warned Wyatt that he alone would have to work the stand,” his Mom insisted.  “We agreed to be there, but he had to wave the customers in and serve the lemonade.”  Dad suggested that he shouldn’t keep all the money for himself, but did let Wyatt pick the charity. 

He dreams big, so look out because his goal for 2022 will likely be even bigger.

Creator God, the source of all my blessings, mold my heart so that I’m more generous toward others.  Help me to put my wants aside so that I can help cover the needs of others; that my charity bring glory to Your kingdom.  Amen

One in the Spirit

 “We are Christ’s emissaries, as though God were making His appeal through us." ~ 2 Cor. 5:20

Adrianne, a young Missionary had been observing the habits and culture of the Xhosa tribe, a South African ethnic group.  When she’d completed her stay, she waited impatiently for transportation to return home.  Helping pass the time before departing, she sang songs and danced with the children before inviting them to play a simple game.

She still had a small bag of candy and some dried dates in her backpack.  Adrianne placed it under a lone Baobab tree before circling the eager participants.  Staging them behind the line she’d drawn in the sandy desert dirt, she explained that when she said “Go!” they should run to the backpack.  Whoever arrived first would win all the goodies.

These were very poor children living in a most inhospitable place – short on food, clean drinking water, modern medicines, and education.  Adrianne expected the competition to be fierce as they raced barefoot across the tall grass and endless scrub in the blistering sun.

But when she said “Go!” they did something extraordinary.  The entire group of children held each other’s hands and ran towards the tree as a group.  Then they sat together around the treasured backpack and enjoyed their treats as a group.

Words immediately left her.  A young Xhosan girl saw the shock register on Adrianne’s face before she could hide it.  A small smile played across her sunbaked lips.

The stunned Missionary asked why they’d all gone together, especially since the first one to arrive at the tree could have won everything in the basket – all the sweets.

The girl replied humbly [translated]: “How can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?”

That moment her words stopped was the moment her heart broke ... Adrianne realized she'd tried to impose her competitive values on them; as if she'd been speaking a language they didn’t understand. 

Yet it was a good breaking; the type that leads to better understanding, heightened compassion, deeper love.  Sometimes a loss for words speaks volumes.

Xhosan Africans practice something called ‘ubuntu.’  It embraces hospitality, compassion, and being willing to go the extra mile for others.  They work hard at making life great for everyone in the community.  

Stated another way, “A person can’t exist as a human being in isolation.”

Ubuntu is an African philosophy.  And it is genuinely Christian too.  The biblical image of men and women, of their being created in God’s image, of their partnership with each other and with God.  Our task to care for each other and the earth seems deeply rooted in the ideas of Ubuntu.  Nothing can exist alone.  All life belongs together.

Maybe we should all consider walking to the tree and enjoying the fruit together.

Almighty Father, help me practice more ubuntu - to be more open and available to others, affirming of others, not threatened that others are able and good.  Remind me that we are all diminished when others are humiliated, diminished, or oppressed.  Amen

Chose Kindness

 “Whenever we have the opportunity, we should be kind to everyone." ~ Galatians 6:10

Libby saw him out of the corner of her eye when he cut her off on a beeline to his ‘rightful’ place in the pharmacy’s waiting line.  There was tension in his manner, a tightness in his face, hardness in his eyes.  Every move was as if he had some timer racing in his head, perhaps the countdown to his next explosion.

Angry eyes were just the start, then came the impatience, the intolerance and the clipped words.  Annoyed by the purchase, he blamed the clerk for the time he’d wasted in line and the cost of the prescription; verbal hostility in front of the queue that became his audience.

Libby was shocked at the man’s rude behavior.  Some days, it seemed like we’re living in "The Age of Disrespect," she thought.  Such lack of civility seemed to be spreading like a virus - one worse than the  current pandemic.

“I don’t’ know how you do it,” Libby said to the counter clerk when it was finally her turn in line.  “You responded so gracefully, even asking if you could help in any way.”

“Thank you,” The young clerk said with only a slight curve in her lips.  “People are in pain here,” she began, “or are waiting in line for loved ones who are ill.  I’ve been there myself.”  

“In fact,” she continued, “I’d just left my parents’ house and was waiting in line for some meds for my father who was battling cancer, when my sister called to tell me our mother had passed away. I just looked like any other person standing in line at Walgreens that day.”

“Sometimes it takes going through difficult times to understand the importance of being kind to unkind people … they need it the most.”

“Food for thought,” Libby remarked before completing her purchase.  But as she left the store, it seemed like a fifteen-course gourmet meal had been prepared for her while waiting in line.  Wisdom learned should be wisdom shared.

Now she’s trying harder to soothe her impatient self.  As a result, her focus is improving, her relationships more mellow, and everything in her day seemed to work a little better.  

It made all the difference.  Over time she saw others learning from her, relaxing, and the vibe of her friends and family took a turn for the better.

So be kind.

That person next to on the bus?  They might be taking themselves to the hospital for chemo.

That bad driver?  They may be rushing home because of an emergency.

That cranky customer?  He may be suffering from chronic pain.

That person who is smiling and friendly?  They might actually be suffering from severe depression.  You may never know how much a small act of kindness will change the trajectory of someone’s suffering.

Gentle Lord, teach me to put into action my better impulses, straightforward and unafraid.  Grant that I may realize that it’s the little things that create great differences, that in the big things of life we are as one.  Amen

Chance Encounter

 “God’s will for you is good, pleasing and perfect." ~ Romans 12:2

On the day the World Trade Center fell, the Pentagon burned and passengers crashed their own plane, hundreds of aircraft carrying thousands of passengers were ordered to land.  Who knew how many additional suicide missiles were looming in the skies over America?

When the US closed its airspace, tiny Gander (pop. 11,000) International Airport in Newfoundland opened its runways, homes, and hearts, taking in 38 wide-body planes on transatlantic routes. 

The city lacked hotels or restaurants to accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers, but the community knew that the people from more than 100 countries were frantic.  Volunteers across Gander began delivering food and supplies directly to the stranded jets; still others prepared makeshift shelters. 

This is where one of the many inspiring stories of 9/11 unfolded.

Nick and Diane lived half a world away from each other before meeting on that somber day.  Their unlikely friendship began in a line to get blankets and supplies.  Diane commented to herself that it smelled of mothballs.

"It’s camphor," Nick added politely from behind her.

The two started chatting, finding odd humor in the odorous blankets, realizing they'd been on the same flight heading to Texas.  In this strange, albeit welcoming place, that coincidence seemed like something to nurture, at least for the time being.

Nick, a British businessman in his 50s, was heading to Texas for work.  Newfoundland was never on his travel agenda.  Diane was an American divorcee returning from visiting her son, a US airman stationed in England.

The next day, they watched disturbing accounts about the terrorist attacks in Pennsylvania, New York and Washington.  Horrified by the murderous events they decided to take a walk.  A local suggested they hike to the Dover Fault, a breathtaking geological structure formed 410 million years ago helping explain the evolution of the Appalachian Mountains.

It took five days for the relationship to bloom.  But, when it became time to leave, each wondered if their infatuation was merely one of necessity during such a traumatic experience; if their feelings would dissipate once they jumped back on life’s treadmill.

The answer would come less than two months later when Nick proposed to Diane over the phone, 5,000 miles apart.  Diane said, “Yes!!”  Their honeymoon?  Where else but Gander.

Once again, the newlyweds underestimated the extent of the Newfoundlanders hospitality.  They returned to a full-blown wedding reception, complete with a multi-layer cake, champagne, and gifts.  The mayor had even written the couple a song about how they’d met in Newfoundland, fell in love and got married.

“Come From Away,” which immortalized their chance meeting, debuted on Broadway in March 2017, becoming an immediate box office success.  Performances will resume later this month when theatres open again in NYC.  

Nick and Diane Marson have seen the show well over 100 times.

Almighty Father, You keep us guessing when it comes to the details of tomorrow.  Show me Your will, and change my ways so I can obey, make better choices and influence others so I can show them Your love.  Amen

Summertime Dream

 "Ours is a forgiving and gracious God, slow to anger, filled with love and faithfulness." ~ Exodus 34:6

Paula walked through New York’s Central Park on a perfect summer day, her dog Annie in tow.  She immediately spotted a man drawing a hopscotch court in colored chalk on a sidewalk while a little girl waited anxiously for the chance to hop and skip.

A beaked chorus sang as playful as the birds themselves.  Clouds seemed locked to an endless, cocktail-blue sky.  She removed her sandals and strolled the downy-soft grass of Sheep Meadow, inhaling the sweet scent of purity; feeling free and alive.  Kids played kites flew, hardbodies sunbathed.

Further down the path, an elderly couple walked hand-in-hand.  The sat close on a familiar wooden bench absorbing the sun’s gracious warmth, just watching the passersby.  Everyone seemed so busy.

Paula spotted a man juggling several types of sink plungers.  A woman jogged bye pushing a stroller with twin Shih Tzus.  An exuberant wedding party hurried toward Gapstow Bridge as onlookers furiously snapped pictures on their phones.

Paula preferred the park’s “Quiet Zones.”  As a Conservancy volunteer propped up some roses in Shakespeare Garden, a man read his Bible under the canopy of a giant oak tree.  She knew its prose inspired peace, love and hope. 

They passed an ornamental pond, best known for its model boats.  A soft breeze sent dozens of toy sailboats scampering across its water.  Further out, weekend mariners in rented rowboats tried not to collide.  Not far away, the statue of Alice in Wonderland’s formed a climbing gym for adoring small kids.

A local Gondolier picked up passengers at Bethesda Garden.  He seemed to enjoy his job.  Who wouldn’t?  Many celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, even an occasional marriage proposal. 

Two young brothers leaned over the edge of Bethesda Fountain, gazing into the water and trying to remove coins with a stick.  Their laughter radiated outward, similar to ripples from a skipping stone; playing as if every drop of daylight were sacred.   

Today’s final stop took Paula and Annie to Strawberry Fields, a quiet place shaded by elm trees with benches for visitors to relax, reflect and “imagine.”  A small but ardent collection of fans gathered there to play guitars, sing and remember the rock star now dead as long as he lived.

Spoiler alert!  Paula was not in Central Park today.  It’s another wet, sunless day in Michigan.  Frankly, she hadn’t yet gotten up from bed yet.

But she’d seen all the things she described and will see them again and many more.  For God is good and there will always be brighter, drier, better days ahead.  Until that next flawless summer day arrives, she’ll live and dream God’s blessings in her mind and praise Him for the goodness that will surely come.

Lord, thank you for Your amazing power and work in our lives.  Thank You for your goodness and for Your blessings over us.  Thank You that for bringing us hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for Your purpose.  Amen

Angel of the Night

 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." ~ Mark 16:16

Her night shift begins and ends the same way - a changing of the guard.  Two nurses, one from the incoming shift and another from the outgoing, circulate through the NICU, studying records detailing treatments in the last 12 hours.  They visit each infant and discuss what still needs doing.  

With the handoff complete, Veronika returned to each incubator to prepare them for the evening as a glorious sunset poured through the windows.

Veronika said a silent prayer every night on her walk from the parking structure: “Lord, be my hands, my eyes and my brain.  Guide me in everything I do to keep these little ones safe.”

Interruptions soon punctuated the night.  Blood must be drawn, feeding tubes and IV’s checked, vitals monitored, oxygen adjusted.  One of her patients had been born so prematurely that they couldn’t do anything to save his life.

His young mother remained stoic throughout the experience.  Veronika felt helpless waiting next to her for the inevitable to happen; short term comfort care only.  

The grieving mother told Veronika she wanted to have her baby baptized before ‘he was gone.’  The nurse immediately called the hospital’s Chaplain, thankful to finally feel like she was doing something useful.  He didn’t answer.

She called every chaplain on the list.  No one answered in the middle of the night.  Veronika returned to the mom and explained that she’d failed to locate anyone officially qualified.  The ritual would have to wait until morning.

Just then Veronika heard an unmistakable subliminal voice shouting, “NOW!”  She asked Mom if were OK for her to baptize the child.  She readily agreed.

Holding a baby bottle of sterile water in one hand and the tiny infant in the other, she poured a bit of water on the dying boy’s forehead saying: “I baptize you, Manuel, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.“  Before she could say “Amen,” he died.

Veronika dried him off before handing him back to his mother.  She held Manuel for a short while, and wrapped him in the soft blanket given by her church before returning him to the incubator.  There was a purity to him; love given and received.

The two hugged and cried.    

In that moment, Veronika fully appreciated what it meant to be in ‘His Hands.’

It’s likely that you’ve been placed in someone’s life for the salvation of a soul.  Even if you don’t know them, pray for the ‘hard cases’ - the lost sheep and the souls farthest from God’s grace.  Make it a daily habit to say the traditional “Angel of God” prayer and entrust all your intentions to the Lord at your side, particularly the spiritual needs of those you love:

“Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here.  Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide.”  Amen