Thursday, February 14, 2013

Mike The Postman


Mike works on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania as a postman.  Students wait in long lines just to buy stamps even when they don't want to because they want to see Mike.  "He makes my day!"

He lives by the motto, "If you can't say something nice about someone, you're just not looking hard enough."  When students come up to the counter, he will compliment their nails, their shoes, or even their handwriting.  He has been this way with every customer every day for 38 years.  He believes kindness begets kindness.  The students even bring him gifts to show their appreciation.

He also believes, "It's not what you do in life, it's how you do it."  When the post office insisted he take down his bulletin board full of posters and pictures, the students protested and he was able to keep them up.  He has made a huge impact on these students just by talking to them briefly at a counter.

Ken and I are reading through I John right now.  We read this the other day, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."{I John 3:23}  I immediately said to Ken, "Do you know how many women out there disobey this command and don't love their husbands?"

Mike is a good example of who we should all strive to be.  Find the best in others.  Speak encouraging words often to them.  Be joyful.  So, find the best in your husband.  Speak encouraging words to him often and be joyful with him.  Most of all, love him deeply just as he is now.  This is the best Valentine's gift you can give him.

This was taken from CBS Sunday Morning.
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Posted by Always Learning at 6:00 AM
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MBB · 632 weeks ago

Great post again! We can learn a lot from this man, that kindness can go a long way. I posted the other day about a huge argument my husband and I had because I had fallen short of submitting. And I agree with your other posts that I rather enjoy our relationship when we are NOT arguing. And if that means I submit then so be it. Anyway, in that argument, he told me I was a negative person and he wished I would just be more positive. My prideful ways made me burst out in anger at what a terrible comment. I didn't realize it was pride until afterwards and was convicted. So I have tried being more positive about everything. I have also been shown the verse lately about "be joyful in all things". Note, I have been a very sad person for a long time, as my mother died when I was 5, and I have been on and off depression meds. I choose to not use them anymore. But it's minor, what my Dr. always said. And I carry sadness with me often which probably results in negative emotions towards others. I never in a million years would have thought I had the power within me to be a positive person. And because of my husband God saw fit for me, I have come to a place where I am forced to be so. And I am amazed at how my life is changing. I never had a mom to tell me to think positively. I hear other people speak of their mothers in this way...all the bits of wisdom they have received over the years, that I just never got. Long story. Anyway, so with God's help and continuously seeking Him I am "Always Learning". I thought I had learned enough, but turns out there is still more. haha! Anyway, my point is that this is a great post about being kind which to me ties in with being positive. I always thought I was kind, but my point is that I can be even kinder, more positive. I am realizing that there are SO many different kinds of people in the world who have different needs. I think my husband is someone who has enough in his life that he just doesn't have it in him to take on my negativity also. He just cannot handle one more negative emotion because I feel he carries so many with him (his dad also died the same year my mom did...which is a weird similarity we have). I believe he could benefit through counseling, but he's 42 and I think the main thing I need to do is just keep praying for him. And now through submission I have realized I can do even more than that! I can do whatever he wants me to do to the best of my ability, because I choose to obey God and submit to my husband. And God's yoke is easy and His burden is light. I just have to obey, and my life becomes, well, lighter! Thanks for your lovely posts that are so succinct and hit straight to the heart.
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Lori Alexander 122p · 632 weeks ago

I just read this in my devotions Streams In The Desert ~

"Even when you cannot feel any joy, there is no spring in your step, nor any comfort or encouragement in your life, continue to rejoice and 'consider it pure joy.'. 'Whenever you face trials of many kinds"'regard it as joy, delight in it, and God will reward your faith."

When we decide to be joyful in spite of how we feel or our circumstances, God is glorified. It is a choice we must make everyday that trusting in God and His ways are such a better way to live than trusting in our feelings or emotions. Every woman I mentor, I tell them to read a chapter in the Bible every day, then make a list of 5 to 10 things they are thankful for since joy springs out of a thankful heart.

Thank you for your comments. I am sure they will give encouragement to others!
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Ken · 632 weeks ago

Hi MBB !

I am so sorry to hear about your sadness. I lost my Mom at age 19 and it was a great loss to me. and my whole family. as she was was our joy and spark of life. She lived out a walk in the Spirit and we all felt so sad to lose her at age 46.

I determined then that I would let Mom/s love and joy live through me and that her life would continue to shine in her son.

Those who pass on before us do not want us to be sad, but if they gave us anything, it is that joy we share with others, especially our spouse and family.

My greatest joy in my life has coming from understanding who I am in Christ Jesus and that I am alive in Christ and that the life of Jesus lives inside of me moment by moment through His Spirit. Imagine this, that the God of the universe in His Son, Christ Jesus chooses to be with me, and wants a relationship with me.

The promises of God are many, and the more we walk by faith holding onto His promises, the more our joy springs from us. For what can fear, and what can make us sad when we are alive in Him and walk in newness of life.

I love that you are being joyful around your husband, and my hope for you is that you will tap into the greatest resource for joy in the Spirit who lives inside of you. It is the Spirit of God that is contagious and this is why you can win your man without a word, because you can show Him the joy there is in Christ Jesus.

This world will always try to drag us down. We must be in God’s Word and hold onto Him and His promises to live a live pleasing to God, and to our spouses.
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Lori Kay · 632 weeks ago

It takes just a second to make or break someone's day with a kind remark or a snide comment. I hope the kids Mike greets each day remember to pay it forward.

He's very inspiring, thanks for posting it.
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Joluise · 632 weeks ago

I work in a customer service area and deal with a range of (very busy) people each day. Whilst I like to hear positive comments from those I deal with over the phone, I too, like to give someone on the phone a positive cheery voice and be able to help them in their day - a little kindness goes a very long way. The Lord asks us to be joyful and I make sure I do that every day at work -and what a differences it makes .

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