As we were leaving our church and Sunday School one morning, I helped my youngest son tie his shoes for what felt like the third time that day.
He smiled when he got into the car and presented me with a beautifully decorated card that said, “One good thing leads to another. Pass it on!” I asked him what it was for. He replied that it was for helping him tie his shoes. It was the sweetest gesture. He had made the card in Sunday School class. His teacher had taught a lesson on thankfulness and doing good for others. He added that I needed to pass the card along the next time someone did something nice for me.
Recently, our friends’ oldest son has been out to help our boys set up a deer stand, feed deer and check deer cameras. This guy truly loves the outdoors. Any activity that has hunting and fishing attached to it, you can count on him. Watching the boys (and girls) learn how to love the outdoors is a treasure, I’m so grateful he’s willing to pass his knowledge and passion along. Selfless love and giving of one’s time is a treasure.
In Girl Scouts, our daughters have learned the motto, “do a good turn daily.”
This slogan is supposed to remind all of us that we can contribute positively to the lives of others. They spent this past Saturday teaching a class of younger Girl Scouts a sewing project. A couple of months ago, they helped execute a field day event at a local park for younger girls.
It always amazes me to watch them help other people. Even though they are often difficult teen/pre-teenagers at home, I get to witness them making a difference in the world.
There are not enough column inches in Ozarks Farm & Neighbor for me to bear witness to all the ways people in our family and community have been kind to our family. From helping carpool to and from dance and play practice to helping us round up loose cattle all over East Fayetteville, we are loved and blessed.
A dear friend recently had surgery. This is that friend who is always helping others. I was filled with joy to be able to whip up some dinner and drop off at her home to feed her family while she was recovering. It’s so nice to be able to return favors occasionally. Wouldn’t the world be more beautiful if we spent our days passing around, “One good thing leads to another. Pass it on!” cards?
At Christmastime we get to recall how joy came to the world in a tiny manager in Bethlehem.
The Harris’ December calendar is chocked full of ballgames, school plays, programs and parties. My hope this season is to continue to have opportunities for our family to serve others and bring joy to the world. Time doesn’t slow down but spending it loving others is never wasted. Merry Christmas, neighbor!
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
