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WAY TO SAY THANKS

Topics: Generosity; Giving; Good Deeds; Gratitude; Respect; Sacrifice; Unselfishness

References: Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30; Romans 12:1–10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:3–4

Twelve United States soldiers were flying home from Iraq on a two-week leave in July 2004. Before one of the soldiers boarded the plane, a passenger traded his first-class ticket for the soldier’s coach ticket. As the plane was boarding, other passengers asked to trade their first-class seats for the coach seats occupied by the remaining soldiers.

Devilla Evans, a flight attendant on the American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Chicago, said, “I was so privileged to be flying with these two groups of unselfish people. Here you have these kids who are putting their lives on the line, protecting our freedom, and here are these people who gave up these seats that are usually fought over. You really have to have a large heart to do something like that.”

—Rummana Hussain, “Passengers Give Up Seats So Soldiers Can Go First-Class,” newsbull.com (July 16, 2004)