Joseph Randle is a running back at Oklahoma State, who has been listed as a likely pick  for national honors at the end of this football season. While he is obviously skilled as a football player, in The Oklahoman (“Cowboys brighten some children’s day,” July 19, 2012, p.3C) about a visit by some members of the OSU football team to St. Francis Children’s Hospital.

Myles Metcalf, a 12 year old chap who was to have his gall bladder and spleen removed that day, was one of the patients team members visited. Quite naturally, as that day dawned, Myles was feeling “kind of upset.” Myles’ father, Steven, stated: “With all their workouts and whatever, just for them to take time to stop by and see my son, it really touched my heart.” That visit by the team members and Pistol Pete must have touched Myles also, bringing a big smile to his face.

The reason for this article relates to a statement made by Joseph Randle concerning his visit to cheer up young people at St. Francis that day. Randle stated that had he not volunteered to go on that hospital trip, he would have spent the day “chilling” and “just hanging out,” which translated means “he would have watched TV and played video games.” His next words are the reason for this article. Randle added, concerning his moments with hospitalized young’uns, “But this means more!”

Now, Young people, let’s be honest. Watching TV and playing video games registers pretty high on your list for things to do on any given day! Joseph Randle just sincerely stated that visiting some sick or stressed Young People at the hospital “means more!” It is better than spending time “just chilling out,” watching TV or playing video games!

Jesus knew that. He said, relative to good deeds you can do in His name, “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them’ (John 13:17 NKJ). There is even more to it than the happiness it gives to You. Paul adds, “Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you truly obey the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2 ICB). You see, these service projects, while thinking of others and helping others, just happen to be genuine Christian conduct! The more you line up to so serve, the more full your life will be!