Paying It Forward: Listen, Think, Serve
Paying It Forward: Listen, Think, Serve
Remember how you'll be remembered. They're watching you.
By Jack Browne, Times Record News, Jan 28, 2023
Several times this past week, haste in action without clarity of intent put me on the wrong path. I reflected in reading James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Last Saturday the keynote speaker at the MLK Prayer breakfast, was Eric Thiergood, Sr., Esq., senior legal counsel at Exxon. He shared how growing and changing for the better can embody MLK’s dream – lead with conviction, encouraging by example. MLK’s Drum Major’s Instinct sermon, delivered 4 Feb, 1968, was the meditation message and still resonates as an uplifting call to action here.
Noting “They’re watching you,” Mr. Thiergood asked us to form one hand into an “OK” sign; “Place in on your chin”. Half the room did what he said and half did what he did (see photo)
. As leaders, we have to be effective communicators to change our community’s gaps in justice and equality. MLK’s speech closes with a powerful poem. The last line, “Then my living will not be in vain,” worthy intent for all.
Take time, act with intent. Hope you joined the 68th annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Saturday Jan 27th. Volunteer again: Many Hands Make Light Work! OBI needs Blood as supplies are so low as to impact operations. Big Brothers Big Sisters and WF Area Food Bank are using tech to make volunteering easier. Other ways to volunteer using online resources to connect:
https://www.volunteermatch.org
and https://www.facebook.com/groups/servewichitafalls/
My brother passed away while out of town; he knew how loved he was by his family, immediate and extended. Speculating about his cause of death, I’ve read 49% of deaths are heart related. Family needs access to your online persona, share access. Prayers remind me, “life is incredibly fragile and fleeting, and the brief span of time that we all have is so transient, and needs to be valued and not taken so much for granted.”
https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayers-for-loss-of-brother-1689
Remember support from community; many stand ready to help – first responders in those valuable moments, ministers, counselors, family and friends. Learn again the power of community, prayer and values. Volunteer in service to others. Remember how you’ll be remembered – Heaven gained an angel mechanic, who makes friends in whatever situation so easily. I ask blessing and prayers for Charles and his family.
How Are the Children Doing?
