Sermon Central
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Extraordinary Impact Through Simple Acts Of Kindness
Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 13, 2025 (message contributor)
Joanne Turner's Acts of Kindness in Kelowna, B.C.
In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, Joanne Turner, a 56-year-old customer service representative at the Real Canadian Superstore in Kelowna, British Columbia, encountered a situation that called for compassion beyond her job description.
During one of her shifts, Joanne received a distress call from a woman in Ottawa, located approximately 4,000 kilometers away. The caller's elderly mother, residing in Kelowna, was unable to shop for groceries due to health concerns, and the overwhelmed delivery system meant wait times stretched into weeks
Recognizing the urgency, Joanne offered to personally deliver the groceries to the woman's mother. This act of kindness wasn't a one-time gesture; Joanne continued to make several delivery trips for the family, all while juggling two jobs and caring for her own household.
When the elderly mother requested items not available at Joanne's store—like carrot muffins—Joanne went the extra mile, stopping at another store to fulfill the request. She attributed her willingness to help to her motherly instincts, humorously noting that she packed lunches for her oldest son until he was 24.
Joanne's humble service exemplifies how ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary impact through simple acts of kindness. Her story reminds us that serving others doesn't always require grand gestures; sometimes, it's about recognizing a need and stepping in to help, even when it's not expected.
Stories of great humility almost always cause us to take a step back and offer our admiration to those involved. Obviously, the example of Jesus, who gave His very life for those He loved, stands as the “gold standard” of humility and sacrifice.
But maybe these stories are so striking because they’re so rare… It’s become almost unbelievable to us that people would take time out of their busy lives to serve and love others. Which is probably why Jesus told us to act in humility, to serve and love one another, and to give all the glory to God in the process.
Source: Reader's Digest Canada
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