“What’s that pounding?” That was the question Tami, the BJA administrative assistant, asked of me this afternoon. Faintly in the background, I could hear the repetitious tap-tap-tap-tap, which piqued our curiosity. It was too rapid and soft to be the sound of a carpenter’s hammer. It was too consistent to be the knocking of loose plumbing pipes. Then, I had a speculation that was bolstered by seeing the light on in Mr. Tom Hill’s office.
I affectionately refer to Mr. Hill as Caleb because he is an octogenarian with the energy of a thirty-year-old. For many years he was the principal of the junior high school and directed day camp in its early years. For the last several summers, he has returned to direct day camp.
My speculation was confirmed when I entered his office. “It sounds like you are making a leather belt,” I remarked. Sure enough, he was. Beside the newly stamped belt was a much shorter strip of stamped leather. “Yes,” said Mr. Hill. “We had a camper who came for just one week this summer. He was unable to finish the belt during the week, and, besides, the belt was way too short for him. I figured I would make a longer belt that would fit him. I still need to stain it, punch the holes, and rivet on the buckle.”
How thoughtful! Mr. Hill didn’t need to do that. What an act of kindness! But I was not surprised—Mr. Hill has a big heart!
That got me thinking of so many unseen acts of kindness that occur at BJA. Here are just a few examples of people “caught in the act!” Last week, I talked to several IT workers who spent the night when Irma breezed through, working to keep the servers and network running. During the same time, several of the administrators were busy checking buildings and clearing deadfall from walkways so that school could open on Wednesday. A teacher, busy with her own responsibilities, spent several hours helping another teacher to understand new technology. Yesterday, I ran into a retiree in the middle school who came to put up bulletin boards for one of the teachers who needed assistance. And almost any night of the week, you will find teachers who have given up their evening to drive a bus, work a timeclock, or coach a team. And, of course, there are many more acts of kindness that are truly unseen!
I am confident that you join me in chorus to say thank you to these and others who reflect the kindness and love of Christ! “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another” (John 13:35).
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