by Linda Meadows

“Service is the rent we pay to live.”
– Marian Wright Edelman, lobbyist, lawyer, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund

On my college graduation day, I distinctly recall my Great-uncle Johnnie calling my Grandfather by his nickname, “Sweetie! Now don’t give me too much of that club soda, I want to taste my drink!”

Like Johnnie, I am going to get right to the matter at hand and share how our actions have a long reaching effect! Each action is like throwing a pebble in the water and witnessing its ripple effect.

Oprah recently featured Mary J. Blige and Maalak Compton Rock on her show. These women are impacting the lives of individuals in profound ways, especially youth. Rock is feeding the homeless. She solicited area restaurateurs who would generally discard good food daily at the close of business. They are now donating food to area soup kitchens. At home, she teaches her daughters not just to be recipients of gifts, but to also give their time and talents through volunteerism. She’s founded The Angel Rock Project, taking at-risk youth to impoverished communities in South Africa and demonstrating that we are our brother’s keeper.

Mary J. Blige has partnered with others to create the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) teaching youth and women life skills that not only benefit them, but their children for generations to come.

Our acts of kindness and charity stretch out in manners that we can’t fathom! Not long ago, I was published in The International Review of African American Art; a piece about a wonderful sculptor, Chapelle Letman. He lost his eyesight to glaucoma at the age of 40. Yet daily he demonstrates a powerful creative inner vision and great faith. Recently he mentioned that he received a wonderful offer of donated warehouse space to sculpt. He then mentioned an upcoming speaking engagement. I didn’t associate those occurrences with what I penned in the Review about Letman. When I spoke with the Editor of the Review, I understood how a reader had learned of Letman and desired to assist him. Friends, what I wrote was like the pebble cast into the universe and its reverberating with blessings for Mr. Letman! I am so pleased to be connected with this blessing. Let’s keep it moving, and drink from this community chalice with the expressed intent of knowing that our service and acts of kindness will benefit others in meaningful ways, seen and unseen!

Linda Mose Meadows is the inspirational author of: The Blessedness of Believing: A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promise. She’s also a passionate blogger: http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/