A New Friend

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday I was on the treadmill at Planet Fitness, and a young guy got on next to me. He looked like a lot of guys there with many tattoos.

I smiled, and it wasn't very long before we started to talk. I questioned Josh about his tattoos. Josh laughed when I said I bet I'm the only one here without one.

I was curious how painful they were to get them. Josh grinned and said it depended on where they were put. I told him I saw one I might like. It went alongside the foot, and it would read, "Walk By Faith." Josh let me know that would be painful!

It wasn't long before we were talking about other things too. I inquired how long Josh had been a member of the gym. Josh shared he had been there a few years.

When our treadmill time was over, I gave him a hug. Then Josh started something that kinda surprised me. He said, "It was great talking with you. Do you know that you are the first person to talk with me here? Most people are intimidated by the way I look."

I made a new friend. I learned a long time ago you can't judge a book by its cover.

One Proud Moment

by Kay Heitsch

With all the talk about bullying going around, I'd like to share a proud moment on the subject.

One day our son, Todd, came home from high school and shared with me about a boy being bullied at school. This kid was not a friend, but that didn't seem to matter to Todd. He didn't like it that this kid was being bullied.

As we stood out in the kitchen, Todd told me that he had confronted the guys bullying this boy. Then he went on to say he was planning to meet them after school off school grounds. Wow! I wasn't expecting to hear that!

To make a long story short, Todd went to the designated location to meet these bullies. He asked a few friends to come along. I'm not sure if these boys would confront these guys or if they were just going for moral support. Anyway, it didn't matter! Wouldn't you know the bullies never showed up!

Todd died in a car accident not too long after the incident. He made a statement by his actions that day. It didn't matter if the person being bullied was a friend or not. Todd confronted the situation!

When we had Todd's calling hours, hundreds showed up. I don't know for sure, but I bet the bullies were there too. I can tell you that when Todd died, he was not only loved, but he was also respected!

Mother's Day Surprise

by Kay Heitsch

It was the day before Mother's Day 2013. I was sitting in my usual spot, spending alone time with the Lord. I looked up and noticed the little Mother's Day statue Todd had given me many years before. I had it on a shelf, along with other memories of days gone by. It was hard to believe it had been 25 years ago that Todd had died in a car accident.

As I sat in my chair, lost in my memories, I thought, "It would sure be nice to receive something again from Todd on Mother's Day, Lord." I knew it was far-fetched to desire something like this, but I wasn't going to tell anyone, and I even thought, "This is between You and me, Lord."

I got up and went about my daily activities. I was out mowing when the thought came to me again. I smiled, wondering if I might be surprised.

Later that night, my husband, Bill, came in from being gone for a few days. He walked in with a rose. He handed it to me and said it was from Todd! I was overwhelmed! Never in the past 25 years had anyone given me anything and said it was from Todd. I knew the Lord had heard and answered the "desires and secret petitions of my heart."

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4