Heartwarming

A Boston Marathon runner paused to help another person in a touching act of kindness. The runner demonstrated sportsmanship and class when they stopped to help a struggling fellow runner. Watch the short but powerful clip to see the touching moment when someone displayed kindness and concern for another.

The world is a sad, lonely and cruel place. It often feels like everyone is solely out for themselves and is without any care or concern for the well-being of others. The best way to describe the current state of society is dog-eat-dog. That cold, cruel and uncaring mentality can be spotted everywhere we look, from the news, social media and the government.

Well, not everyone is just concerned about themselves and what they can acquire. A clip posted on social media shows that some individuals still care for and about others. The act captured in the video will likely restore your faith in humanity and may even bring a tear to your eye.

In the video's opening moments, a runner falls to the ground. His legs have stopped working, and he’s unable to get back up. After he initially falls to the ground, several other runners pass the man on the ground without giving the struggling runner a second look. But seconds later, another man comes up behind the runner on the ground. He offers him a loving and helping hand.

He tries several times to help the man to his feet, but he’s wobbly and unsteady and appears ready to stumble and fall back to the ground at any moment. But instead of giving up on him, the kind and loving runner stays with him and eventually helps him to his feet.

The two men continue the race together, much to the delight of the spectators.

The video was taken at the Boston Marathon, likely near the finish line. The text near the bottom of the screen reads, “Humanity, even after 26.2 miles.” 

What a powerful example of bearing each other’s burdens and offering assistance to someone struggling. 

Galatians 6:2 “Take on yourselves one another’s troubles, and so keep the law of Christ.”

Jelly Roll shared how his and Brandon Lake’s song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” is touching hearts. The popular musician mentioned what he hears from and how people have reacted to the hit song. Watch the short but powerful clip to listen to what Jelly Roll had to say about the response to “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

The world is a sad, lonely and broken place. It’s full of people who are hurting and struggling, hoping for anything to alleviate the pain. Sadly, these individuals will hunt and search everywhere for a solution. They may find a temporary fix, but soon enough, the pain and the heartache are back again.

There is an answer to all that pain and suffering: Jesus Christ. His healing, comfort, forgiveness and love will never wear off or fade away. In a clip posted on YouTube, Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake discuss their song “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” In the short clip, Jelly Roll mentions how the song has impacted him and what he has continually heard from others.

“Like, everywhere I go, this is the song people are talking to me about right now,” Jelly Roll said. “It’s really cool, man, and I love the conversation it’s creating. Like, real conversations are being had online. Sometimes not fun, but sometimes great, right? It’s like, it’s like, here’s my deal: I think it’s our jobs, where in faith, to push that envelope anyways. Like those conversations needed to be created.”

Later in the clip, Jelly Roll says he knows how he and others are turning toward God in response to the song.

“But I can tell you what’s also happening is millions of people like me are finding a safe place right now in God,” he said. “You know what I mean? For sure, because I’m getting the messages that are like, ‘Yo, I’m like a fence-riding Christian, too. Like, I kind of believe. I grew up with some core values but kind of got away from it, and you make me feel safe being, like, talking about God again.’”

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before me, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

This is the remarkable testimony of a blind father of three from Indonesia, whose life was shattered after losing his sight to glaucoma. Abandoned by his wife and left to raise his children alone, he faced despair. But God had other plans. Through Leading The Way's Navigator, a solar-powered pocket missionary containing the New Testament and 150 of Dr. Michael Youssef's teachings in his native language, this man's life was transformed by the power of the Gospel. In the midst of his suffering, the Word of God brought him comfort, hope, and the strength to carry on for his children. Watch how the light of Christ brought redemption and purpose to this father’s heart. Let his testimony inspire you to believe in the power of God's Word to change lives, even in the darkest times.

A heroic canine saved the day by finding a lost child in Arizona. The youngster had been missing for hours when the dog located the missing toddler. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear how the dog found the missing child.

In today’s highly divisive, incredibly polarizing climate, reaching a consensus on anything is nearly impossible. However, there is one thing most people can agree on: animals are wonderful, extraordinary creatures. Even people who don’t have pets still have a soft spot in their hearts for those cute, furry, four-legged critters. How could you not?

They are some of Earth's most loving, loyal and dependable beings. Show an animal even the smallest amount of attention, love and kindness, and they will be your friend for life. They will never forget the love and kindness shown to them and will treat you similarly.

In addition to being loving and dependable, animals are even literal lifesavers, as was the case for a child in Arizona. A clip posted on YouTube explains how a rancher’s dog, Buford, found a 2-year-old child who had been missing for hours in Arizona.

Typically, Buford guards and protects Scotty Dunton’s ranch, patrolling the grounds.

“It’s in their blood, you know?” Scotty Dunton, Buford’s owner, said. “They’re guardians and stuff.”

Later in the clip, Scotty adds that he noticed something strange as Buford was doing his rounds.

“Way there, I see Buford coming down the deal right there with a little blond-haired boy with him,” Scotty said.

That child Buford had found had been reported missing, having wandered away into the Arizona wilderness. Search and rescue teams had been out looking for the young man for 16 hours without success.

The clip mentions that the hero pup found the child sleeping underneath a tree nearly seven miles from his home.

Genesis 1:21 “And God created great whales, and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

Robert Irwin’s sweet response to a child’s unexpected question will melt your heart. The animal enthusiast and conservationist likely did not see this question coming, but he had a heartwarming answer. Watch the short but sweet clip to hear Robert’s moving and powerful answer to a child’s inquiry.

No one knows with 100 percent certainty what life will bring from one moment to the next. Yes, we have a vague idea of what to expect and what might be coming our way. But if someone thinks they know exactly what will happen in the future, they are either lying, crazy or likely a little of both.

Because life is a long series of unexpected events, it’s nice to be good on your feet. Knowing how to improvise and change things on the spot will help in nearly every facet of life. Improvisation is a skill that is especially helpful when interacting with and dealing with children. You never know what they may say or do. 

In a clip posted on social media, Robert was giving a demonstration of some kind in the question-and-answer portion of his presentation. He announces he has time for one more question and calls upon a little girl. He did not see her question coming at all.

“How did you get so brave?” the little girl asks.

Several people react to the youngster’s sweet question. But it’s Robert’s answer that is perhaps even sweeter.

“That is very sweet, thank you,” Robert says. “That’s a very good question. Well, you know what? I think I’ve got a really good family around me. They help to really lift me up. They make me feel very proud at what I do. And you know, the thing is, there’s a difference between bravery and being afraid. I’m afraid all the time, all the time, and that’s OK. All the time, and when I jump in with a crocodile, I’m afraid. It’s a little bit scary, but the most important thing is how you respond to that fear. And the people you keep around you help to lift you up and keep you brave and courageous. That’s what it’s all about.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.”

Willie was sentenced to 75 years in prison—a life of hopelessness behind bars. While serving out his sentence, a fellow inmate introduced him to Dr. Michael Youssef’s teachings—and the hate in Willie’s heart began to melt away. Watch how God has transformed Willie’s heart and see how the Lord is still working in his life today.

All one man wanted for his birthday was to pet dogs – and it was paw-some! This man decided he wanted to spend his big day with several hundred cute, furry, four-legged friends, and that’s precisely what he did. Watch this short but sweet video to see how this man spent his birthday petting dogs.

Animals are some of the best creatures on Earth. They are loving, loyal and dependable to a fault. Whenever you arrive home after a day when everything went perfectly and according to plan, they are at the door to greet you. On the other hand, when your day has been less than ideal, they are still there, eagerly waiting to welcome you home.

As wonderful as all animals are, there is something special about dogs. The popular saying states that dogs are man’s best friends, not cats, porcupines or rabbits. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of having a dog understands that dogs are truly exceptional and remarkable critters. Who could say otherwise with a straight face?

In a clip posted on YouTube, one man who understands how unique and extraordinary dogs are decided to spend his birthday with them. For his 67th birthday, Gary Tucker created a sign saying, “It’s my birthday: May I pet your dog? (can they have a treat?)” and then sat on a park bench. Dog owners in the park passing by made Gary’s birthday wish come true!

Dog after dog stopped by to greet Gary and receive a special treat. Gary absolutely enjoyed himself and had a wonderful day! Who wouldn’t have an excellent time when surrounded by those cute and loving creatures?

“I’m loving it,” he said. “This is exactly what I wanted to do for my birthday.

What a sweet story!

Genesis 1:21 “And God created great whales, and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

A husband and wife paused yard work for a tender moment that will melt your heart. Both were working hard in the yard when they momentarily took a break, and what they did was so sweet and heartwarming. Watch the short but adorable clip to see the precious, tear-jerking moment.

Like every other relationship, marriage requires both parties to put in the time and work. That means maintaining constant and continual communication and spending time together. Failure to do either of these can result in a weak and even failing relationship.

As every married couple understands, spending time together can mean participating in any number of activities. That can be anything from going out to eat to going on vacation to staying and watching a movie together. It doesn’t matter what is done as long as it’s done together.

A clip posted on social media shows one husband decided to surprise his wife while working together in the yard. Text in the video points out that the man and the woman in the minute-long clip have been married for 14 years. He still knew exactly what to do that would completely take his wife by surprise.

While they were hard at work, they were listening to music. Then, one particular song came on—their wedding song. Well, the husband immediately stopped working and walked over to his wife. He lightly taps her on the shoulder and then takes her by the hand.

At this point, she must be so confused. But seconds later, it becomes clear exactly what he has in mind. They begin slow dancing in the yard.

What a tender and sweet moment! That’s likely to be something they remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

Genesis 2:24 “For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.”

Irish rap star Casper Walsh and his wife Kim share their powerful journey of fame, depression, and despair to finding hope in Christ.

This wife’s loving gesture for her deaf husband will have you in tears. Her sweet move shows how much she truly loves and cares for him. Watch the short and emotional video to see what she did for her husband. Be sure you have a box of tissues nearby when watching because you will likely need them.

The world is often a cruel, cold and lonely place. We will forever be in short supply of love and kindness. It’s impossible to have too much of either of them. We can always be better, kinder and more loving toward one another. No one is perfect, so there will always be room for improvement in that area.

There are many ways to show others how much we love and care about them. These acts of love range from big, flashy gestures to small, sweet, tenderhearted moves. While those expensive, flashy actions may capture a lot of attention initially, the small and simple things often mean the most.

A video posted on social media captures one of the sweet and tenderhearted moves. In the clip, a woman signs the song that she and her husband, who is deaf, danced to at their wedding. She signs the sweet lyrics to Kane and Katelyn Brown’s tune “Thank God” as they appear on the bottom of the screen.

She does this as they both look at one another lovingly. How either of them made it through the video without crying is beyond me. Most people would have been in tears moments after she started her sweet, loving gesture.

Big, grand gestures of love are great, but as this video shows, small, thoughtful moves can be even more meaningful and powerful. What a lovely and heartwarming move!

This minute-long clip captures a moment both will likely remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all you do be done in love.”

An 11-year-old mimics birds at a school talent show, and something beautiful happens. The young man, who has autism and Tourette’s syndrome, can mimic the sound of 50 birds. Watch this short but powerful clip to see what happened when this young man bravely demonstrated his talent for making bird sounds with his schoolmates.

No two people are the same. How boring would life be if that were the case? God is in the business of creating individuals, not replicas or duplicates. That means He equips everyone with different skills, talents and gifts. Some people are good with their hands, while others might be blessed athletically or academically.

As a clip posted on YouTube points out, Samuel Henderson, an 11-year-old, has been blessed with a rather unique talent. He can imitate the sounds of 50 different birds. If you were listening to him and didn’t see where the sound was coming from, you would believe it was a bird making the noise.

When his school’s annual talent show came around, Samuel wanted to participate. No one from special education had taken part in the talent show. How would the other kids respond to Samuel’s gift for bird sounds? This concern weighed heavily on Samuel's mother. She feared Samuel would be mocked mercilessly by the other children.

Despite her fears, she let Samuel take part in the show. When his time in the spotlight arrived, the young man’s knack for bird sounds blew the children away. They were amazed!
Samuel received a thunderous round of applause.

“The kids are roaring,” Samuel’s mother said. “I was so happy to see him living his dream. My heart just exploded.”

The once-lonely young man on the playground is now the center of attention during recess and even teaches his classmates how to make bird sounds.

What a beautiful story about love, kindness and acceptance.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

An act of kindness from firefighters made one 11-year-old’s day. The young man absolutely could not believe what the first responders let him do, and his overjoyed reaction said it all. Watch the short but powerful video to see what the firefighters did that made an 11-year-old child’s day.

Kindness and love are in short supply in this world. That is abundantly clear nearly everywhere we look. The news is full of stories about people doing awful, horrible and horrendous things to one another. Popular social media platforms are full of some of the most hateful, profane and vile things you’ll ever read.

At times, it seems we live in a dog-eat-dog world and everyone is out for themselves and couldn’t care less about their neighbor. But then there are times when people treat one another with unexpected love and kindness, and it restores our faith in humanity, at least momentarily.

A clip posted on social media captures one instance in which someone responded to a stranger with kindness, understanding and gentleness. The video is of a young man who has always wanted to honk a firetruck's horn. While at a gas station, the 11-year-old sees what might be a chance to make his dream a reality.

The young man is overjoyed at the sight of a nearby firetruck and literally jumps up and down. He mentioned that he talked to someone associated with the firemen, who told him that he could wait for the firemen and ask if he could honk the emergency vehicle’s horn.

About halfway through the minute-long video, the young man approaches two firefighters and makes his request. He’s walking with them toward the front of the vehicle, and the horn sounds moments later.

The little guy had the biggest smile once he got back in the car. The firemen could have responded angrily and totally dismissed the young man, but instead, they let him do something he’d wanted to do his entire life.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

A woman broke down after uncovering a beloved childhood stuffed animal. The surprise gift was too much for her, and she immediately began crying. Watch the short but powerful clip to see when she realizes what she has unwrapped and how she reacts to the present.

The situations that occur throughout our lives and how we respond to those circumstances combine to make us who we are. Nowhere is that more evident than what happens during our childhood. Whether it was one filled with traumatic, frightening events or one full of generally happy, joyous occasions, those memories will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

As every parent attests, children seem to gravitate toward and glom onto certain toys. For many, their favorite toys end up being a teddy bear or a stuffed animal of some kind. Those toys quickly become precious, meaningful items. The children will then attach memories and feelings to those toys. When and if those beloved items do go missing, it can be a traumatic and tear-filled ordeal, as every parent knows.

But even as adults, when they are reunited with items that were thought to be lost, even if it’s not the exact stuffed animal, there will be a rush of emotions and possibly even tears shed. That happened in one video posted on social media when a woman was surprised with a stuffed animal from childhood.

After quickly ripping open the package, the woman discovers that it’s a stuffed animal from her childhood. Immediately, she begins crying. She thought the bear had been lost forever, but someone, the woman’s mother, tells her she had been searching for one of those bears for years.

The woman’s emotional reaction suggests she greatly appreciated her mother's sweet and heartwarming gift. What an absolutely beautiful moment between a mother and her daughter!

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

From your lips to God's ears. The tiny pulpit series grants lay people an opportunity to share and spread God's word. The heart of Tiny Pulpit is an everyday person sharing with everyday people spiritual truths from an ever-present God.

The Bible passage from Ezekiel 37 is an amazing prophetic word not only for Israel but also for those today who are spiritually dead to sin. The Lord proclaims He can make dry bones come to life through His son Jesus.

Tears flow as a police chief delivers his heartfelt last radio call. The law enforcement officer nearly loses it as he signs off from duty for the last time. Watch the short but powerful video to see and hear the moment filled with tears.

Most people have the lifelong goal of retirement. They look forward to the moment when they can kick back, put up their feet, take it easy and not have to worry about going to a 9-to-5 job. That’s the dream, right? What could be better than that?

That’s what most people strive for and work toward until that day actually arrives. That final day before retirement is often bittersweet and filled with many emotions. No one can or even wants to work for the rest of their lives. But when tears are shed on that day, it’s typically not because of the work; it’s because of their coworkers and the friendships they’ve made along the way.

In a clip posted on YouTube, a police chief in Kentucky was turning in his badge and gun at the end of his shift. It was his last day on duty, and the video shows that he knew how to make it a special moment. He picked up his granddaughter from school so she could be with him when she signed off for the last time.

“After 29 years of wearing this badge with pride and the past 14 years as your chief, the time has come to hang it up,” he says into the radio.

The chief says all this while he gets emotional as the gravity of the situation starts to hit him.

As he speaks into the radio, his 10-year-old granddaughter is in the passenger seat bawling. But she wasn’t the only family member on hand for the unique, emotional moment. The chief’s daughter filmed the chief’s final sign-off.

What a beautiful moment!  We wish the former chief the best in retirement.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

Patricia Heaton reflects on “The Middle,” and shared love for her castmates. The award-winning actress looked back on the popular, long-running show and talked about her castmates and why she thought of the cast's youngest member as her peer. Watch the short but heartwarming video to hear Patricia discuss “The Middle.”

Patricia is arguably best known for playing Debra Barone on the iconic, beloved sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” It’s a show that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen this or that episode. But after that show ended its run, Patricia found another show that was nearly as beloved as “Everybody Loves Raymond:” “The Middle.” 
 
Set in Indiana, “The Middle” follows the Heck family and their many hilarious misadventures as they navigate life together. Patricia played Frankie Heck, the mother who tries to hold everything together when everything falls apart. While it was a very different show than “Everybody Loves Raymond,” they were alike in some ways. The writing was excellent, and the show had a ton of heart.

In a clip posted on social media, Patricia reflects on her time on “The Middle” and the actors, the people who made up the Heck family.

“When you’re on a single-camera show like “The Middle,” they become like your family,” she said. “Fortunately, I was with Neil Flynn, playing my husband, and the kids were Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher and Atticus Shaffer, and they were amazing.”

Later in the clip, she mentions a specific memory involving Atticus Shaffer, who played Brick Heck, the family's youngest member.

“Atticus Shaffer, who was maybe nine when we started the show, something like that, he was so professional,” she said. “He could hit every punchline and knock it out of the park that I started thinking of him as a young adult. And I would kind of goof with him and josh with him. I got a call saying, ‘Could you ease off on Atticus?’ Oh! I forgot he’s nine! I actually went to apologize, ‘I’m sorry, I’m just kind of joking around ‘cause you’re so good and you’re so grown up that even though I’m 50 years older than you, I feel like you’re my peer.’”

Job 8:21 “The time will come when your mouth will be full of laughing, and cries of joy will come from your lips.”

The forecast? Love is in the air–with a 100 percent chance of happily ever after when a TV meteorologist proposes to his girlfriend on air during a weather report. It was just another ordinary weather report in Texas—or so viewers thought. 

The green screen stood ready, the forecast maps queued up, and the cameras rolled. But this wasn’t just about cold fronts and storm warnings. No, this was about a different kind of front moving in—one that filled the greenscreen with candlelights, additional romance, and a life-changing question.

Meteorologist Carter Vandrasik, usually the one predicting the future with Doppler radars and high-pressure systems, decided to make a bold prediction of his own. He wasn’t just tracking temperatures; he was forecasting forever.

Bringing his girlfriend, Ashton Cheatham, onto the set under the pretense of an interview, Carter kept his cool—like a perfectly calm spring morning—before asking the production team to swap the weather map for a flickering candlelight backdrop. And just like that, the climate in the studio changed from professional to personal, from routine to breathtaking.

With a heart full of love (and maybe a few nervous gusts of adrenaline), Carter took Ashton’s hands and spoke of their journey—of long-distance stretches, of faith that anchored them through every storm, of a love steady as the sunrise. And then, just as a warm front overtakes the chill, he knelt down, ring in hand, and asked her to be his forever forecast.

Tears fell like summer rain. A radiant smile broke like dawn. And before the studio lights, the cameras, and the thousands watching, Ashton’s “yes” sent the love barometer soaring.

Love stories don’t always come with perfect conditions. Sometimes, there are storms. Sometimes, there are long stretches of waiting, of trusting, of believing that the sun will shine again. But when God writes the script, when He holds the forecast, love is never left out in the cold. And it’s the most incredible kind of love there is. 

As for the final forecast?

A lifetime of love, with a high chance of joy and zero percent chance of regret!

Mark 10:9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

The woman’s sweet response to her coworker’s frustration wins hearts. The move was an act of kindness that would have caught most people off-guard. Watch the short video to see how one woman reacted when she heard about her coworker’s cold-weather trouble.

No one’s life is perfect, and it never will be because we live in an imperfect, fallen and broken world. Troubling and frustrating situations and circumstances have a way of finding us all. Try as we might to avoid maddening and irritating circumstances and problems, they will often appear at the most inopportune moment.

Of course, not all problems and frustrations are created equal. Complaining how the barista messed up a drink order pales in comparison to someone else losing a loved one or dealing with a life-threatening illness. When considering that situation, some things are not worth complaining about.  

However, in a clip posted on social media, one woman responded when she heard her coworker talk about her frustration with her hair and the weather. The video's text explains the situation and the woman’s issues with her hair, the weather and hats.

“Yesterday I complained to a coworker that I was freezing from my walk to work because I can’t wear a hat with my hair up,” the text reads.

Instead of simply ignoring or blowing off the young woman’s irritation with hats and her hair during the cold weather season, the coworker responded in the sweetest way possible. The text also explains what the young woman came in to find on her desk the next morning as she puts on her unexpected, heartwarming gift.

“Today I came in to this on my desk. She went home last night and knit this,” the text reads.

She received a garment that will cover her ears, forehead and the back of her head without messing up her hair. What a sweet gift!

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

"Called Out of Darkness" is a song about 1 Peter 2:9.