What is as contagious as the chicken pox?

Random Acts of Kindness.

Have you ever seen someone do something kind for someone else and then you decide to do something kind for someone too?  It’s a great feeling doing things for others and supporting worthy causes that make a difference.

You may have seen the story about Lauren Hill and Leah Strong.  Lauren is a 19-year-old freshmen at College of Mount St. Joe in Cincinnati.  She has a brain tumor and only has weeks to live.  She had a dream to play in a college game and the NCAA made an exception allowing her school to move up the start of their season in order to give her an opportunity to play.  Ten thousand tickets to the game were sold in less than 30 minutes.  The entire basketball world, from high school to college to WNBA to NBA athletes surrounded Lauren and made her dream come true.  She got to play, and score, in her first college basketball game last Sunday.  Pat Summit, one of the most successful coaches in  college women’s basketball history, and WNBA Star, Tamika Catchings, presented Lauren with the Pat Summit courage award.  WNBA and NBA players attended the game.  NFL players were on social media sending Lauren good wishes.  She is the hot topic on ESPN Sports Center.  She is also now on a Wheaties box.  All because someone asked if the game could be moved up and someone in the NCAA said “yes” to make a difference to Lauren Hill.

Leah Still is the 4-year-old daughter of Devon Still, Cincinnati Bengals player.  She has a brain tumor as well.  Devon Still was cut from the Bengals roster a few months ago but because the Bengal’s organization knew that he needed the insurance for little Leah, they put him on the practice squad.  A few weeks later, he became a member of the active roster due to injuries of other players.  Thursday night, Leah got to see her daddy play in the NFL for the first time. The NFL fans and players have surrounded her and her family by purchasing thousands of Bengals jerseys sporting #75 – the number worn by Devon Still.  Proceeds from the sale of these jerseys go to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for pediatric research.  Over $1 million dollars has been raised for the cause.  Sean Peyton, coach of the New Orleans Saints, started the ball rolling for the NFL family by purchasing 100 jerseys.  The New England Patriot cheerleaders wore the #75 jersey when they played the Bengals a few weeks ago.  LEAH STRONG signs were found everywhere during the Bengals vs. Browns game Thursday night.  All because someone made a decision to make a difference and put Devon Still on the practice squad.

Lauren and Leah are the talk of the sports world!  And it all started with one act of kindness by someone who wanted to make a difference.

A big part of life is about doing kind things for others.  A lot of times we get too caught up in the small stuff and worrying about making sure everything is in order and placing our ideas of helping others on the back burner.  Move it to the front and start by making a difference to someone today.   Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Kindness to others is contagious but you don’t need to worry about a vaccine because of this contagious thing.  This is a good contagious – and I hope you catch it soon! And then I hope someone will catch it from you…………….Lauren Strong!  Leah Strong!  Random Act of Kindness Strong!