One Person Can Make a Difference

It’s been one month since the raging wild fires completely destroyed the historical town Lahania on the island of Maui.

As is the case with any disaster, this tragic event has elicited heart felt compassion from people who genuinely desire to help those in need.

Before any government aid began, we heard about the people on the neighboring island of Moloka‘i who began sending boat loads of food, water and basic necessities to their neighbors. One store owner related seeing impoverished people donating what little they had because they cared.

Just yesterday while on Kauai, I learned about the story of 5 year old Edison Juel.

Edison, nicknamed Eddie, was on a trip with his family on Hawaii’s Big Island when the fires occurred. As they were watching the news and his parents were talking about the tragedy, Eddie asked his mother to turn off the TV because it made him so sad. When they realized he understood what was happening, they tried to explain it and assure him that they were not in danger.

When they returned to their home in Seattle, Eddie shared the idea of setting up a Lemonade stand to donate money to help the people of Lahania. His parents quickly endorsed the idea and helped him set it up.

From 10am to 6 pm Eddie sold pink and yellow lemonade, sparkling water, popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, candy and even some of his toys. With the help of social media a matching grant from his father’s employer, Eddie raised $17,000 in one day.

While there are huge donations from corporations and wealthy individuals that dwarf Eddie’s contribution, there are some great lessons to be learned from this heart warming story.

#1 We can often learn life lessons from little children.

Jesus said so when the disciples were aruging about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3-4).

Humility. Meekness. Compassion. Forgiveness. Kindness. These are all qualities we’ve witnessed in little kids. I wonder how many parents have been convicted to do good or make a important life change because of the influence of their children?

#2 You don’t have to important, wealthy, well known, or educated to make a difference.

No one ever heard of Eddie Juel, until… Until his story when viral on social media and was reported by USA Today and multiple outlets.

If a 5 year old little boy with a heart of compassion can make a difference, what can you do? Who can you help? Where can you serve? Who needs your time, attention, and loving care?

Often it’s the little people, unknown and unheralded, serving in their communities, churches, and social circles that make a huge difference in the life of someone who’s struggling.

Read Romans 16 and see the long list of unfamiliar people, names reserved for Bible trivia, that Paul commends and praised because they faithfully served the Lord. Urbanas. Epaenetus. Asyncritus. Phlegon. Hermas, Patrobas. And many more with strange names foreign to us. But the Lord knows them. And he knows you. And me.

#3 Christianity is more often exemplified in what we do than what we say.

Too often the world only sees what we are against instead of what we are for. They only hear what we say instead of seeing what we are doing.

I wonder in our brotherhood, if we have been so adamant about the difference between the collective work of the church, and the work of the individual, that we’ve left the latter undone?

Galatians 6:10 is not passage given to tell us what the church can’t do, but reminding us what individual Christians ought to be doing. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

The classic story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan is forever a reminder about the essence of our Christian walk. Our compassion. Our kindness. Our helping hand to hurting people along life’s road.

May we all care as much as little Eddie Juel. And may we all be more like Jesus “who went about doing good” (Ax. 10:38).

Ken Weliever, The Preacherman