Caught doing good

Nothing is more satisfying than being caught doing something good. 

That’s what my husband said when I told him what I was writing about in this week’s column.

My mother always taught me that one of the greatest signs of character is doing good for others without expecting recognition.

Mom also taught me that going above and beyond what is expected is another sign of good character.

This week I witnessed both.

I spent last weekend with 34 authors honored at the International Christian Book Awards in Ft. Wayne. It was wonderful to hear the sincere kudos and congratulations they exchanged. It was fun to be there with my friend and ICBA Founder, Valerie Juillerat, to set things up. I kept noticing how people jumped in to do whatever needed doing. It was as if little writing elves had shown up to help the event run smoothly. They put their words into action.

There is something special about people who step in and go above and beyond their duties to help others.

We had the best emcee. He was fun and engaging. His name is Willie Blake. If you need a great emcee, I gotta guy. Willie chatted with the award winners, getting to know them and their books. After the ceremony, he helped the authors find the boxes for their awards and then cleaned up by vacuuming. Yes, vacuuming. The world needs more Willies.

When I headed home, I had to schedule another appointment, my third, with MedCheck. Yes, I’m now on Day 19 of my seven- to 10-day virus.

My neighbor arrived a few hours after seeing my Facebook post about MedCheck. (Yay for big-gun antibiotics and steroids!) Michelle Parks Payne brought me tea, chicken noodle soup, honey, and Jolly Ranchers. She says they help her feel better when she’s sick.

The next day, the Garden Fairy (a.k.a. my friend, Cathy Fuqua) dropped off a bouquet of flowers from her garden.

During my first week of being so ill, my columnist friend Amy Shankland brought me tea and chocolates, and my Senior Sneakers trainer, Christy Barnes, brought me flowers.

Other people show up in my life who don’t really know me. They are just cheerful givers. They write sweet notes on my coffee cup, grab my cart and return it to the cart corral, and compliment me on my new brown leather dress. These people hug my heart and make my day.

Small gestures of kindness are so needed. I think kudos are needed when people are caught doing them.

2 Corinthians 2:7 NLT talks about a cheerful giver: You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

This goes not just into your finances but into how you live. Give generously from your heart.

I’ve often said the little things bring delight to our days … if we take the time to notice them and, of course, do them.

I hope you are caught doing something good.

I’m going to spend more time noticing and recognizing the people who bring delight to my days and go above and beyond what is expected. They are out there … my mom told me they would be.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com. You can purchase her book “When the Hart Speaks” at amazon.com/dp/B0B1C7QKF6.