I’m writing this in response to several threads here in the pub and the direction that they have been going.
Some of the most rewarding times in my life have been had while rendering meaningful service to others. Most of you here know something about the activities that I participate in on my own and through my Lodge so I wont elaborate on them, but through those activities I have experienced some of the greatest feelings in the whole of my life, those feelings of being able to lend a hand down and help someone in some significant way who otherwise could not help themselves.
In this era of Commercial Christmas we often lose sight of the things most important to the season and focus on the commercial giving and recieving to and from those close to us.
Chiffers are an awesome bunch of people, and I know that many of you regularly donate to The Hunger Site, but I have a further challenge to propose to you;
My challenge to you is this: Get out and perform an act of meaningful service (don’t just open your cheque-book, roll up your sleeves and do something) to someone who would otherwise be unable to help themselves. After which, I would like you, if you are so inclined, to return to this thread and share your experience and your feelings with the rest of the C&F community.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Two wealthy gentlemen are sitting in wingbacks at the club and one is saying, “I had this urge to do something for my fellow man, but I couldn’t think of anything that wouldn’t put me to some inconvenience.”
Tyler, when I was an undergrad, there was a guy who would fix students’ cars for minimal money. I think he just wanted to help people who were trying to get an education. One time in winter (I went to school in a little burg near Buffalo - serious winters, there) my car had crapped out and I called him. He met me at my car with his family in his car because they were going someplace. He took out my gas filter and said it was clogged and punched a hole through it with a screw driver. My old beater Maverick started up fine. He wouldn’t take any money for it, either - said it didn’t cost him anything so he wouldn’t take anything from me. From the looks of his car, he wasn’t all that well off either but he wouldn’t take even the few bucks I could afford to give him.
I hadn’t thought about that in a while - thanks for reminding me.
This is not my story, but it was on yesterday’s local news:
Man Finds $15,000 Ring from Lovelorn Stranger in His Car
Imagine getting off work and finding someone you don’t know left jewelry in your car.
That’s what happened to a Massachusetts man last week.
The man left his car parked at a train station in Northborough, MA, but the car’s doors were unlocked.
When he got inside, he found a $15,000 diamond engagement ring left by someone heartbroken over a lost love.
The note with the ring read: “Merry Christmas. Thank you for leaving your car door unlocked. Instead of stealing your car, I gave you a present. Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now.”
Police were not able to find out who left the ring, so they say the man who found it can keep it.