“…Freely you have received; freely give.” -Matthew 10:8
Halloween is an exciting time for children. They dress up as their favorite superhero, princess, cartoon character, video game character, and many other creative costumes. As the sun goes down on Halloween night, kids take to the neighborhood streets in pursuit of candy. It is a night filled with joy and sugar.
Not all children get to experience the happy moments of Halloween. Jacob Schmitt is one of those kids. Jacob was very sick this past Halloween, and he was staying the night in the hospital. Jacob’s mom, Amy, would have to stay with Jacob. Amy would turn the lights off at her house and hand a note on the front porch addressed to the local children. The note would read, “My son is in the hospital, sorry, no candy.”
Most children would read the note and immediately run to the next house. However, later that night, something remarkable happened. As Jacob and Amy rested in the hospital, Amy’s phone began to notify her of activity on her porch. Their doorbell camera recorded something special.
The children of the neighborhood took it upon themselves to help Jacob. They began to bring candy to Amy and Jacob’s porch and empty large buckets full of candy for Jacob to find when he came home from the hospital. Some children went home from their first trip around the neighborhood and then returned to the streets just to collect candy for Jacob.
Jacob and Amy spent the rest of the night watching their doorbell camera. Each child brought far more than candy to their porch. Amy would post online and say, “We are deeply touched by the selflessness of these children…it is overwhelming, all the love we’ve gotten…and I don’t know half these people.”
The children that blessed Jacob walked a few extra steps around the neighborhood and shared their candy. It was a simple gesture, but it brought buckets full of love to a family experiencing a challenging health moment. Simple acts of kindness can share the greatest feelings of love. Our acts of kindness do not have to overwhelm our time and abilities. When we share what we have, we can bless our neighbors and bring joy to their lives.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
