The election is finally over and we’re certain that everyone — regardless of which candidate they supported — is desperately in need of a good pick-me-up, so we’re back with a new list of our very best and most inspirational stories of the week.
Let’s start with the political realm. First and foremost, Faithwire asked some of our celebrity friends to join us in putting together a message of unity. The resulting video — one that encourages Americans to come together and embrace civility — has been viewed more than 600,000 times (and counting). Watch it below:
We also separately featured the full videos from a number of performers, athletes and TV hosts who participated in the compilation, including one from “Goonies” and “Lord of the Rings” star Sean Astin. In it, Astin addressed those who have maligned him over his support for Hillary Clinton, urging people to, instead, treat one another with forgiveness and kindness.
“When people question my faith, they impune my integrity, they malign me, my friends, my family — it kind of makes my blood boil,” Astin said. “But as a person of faith, I am easily disposed to forgive, and to love, and to respect — and admire all of the goodness that exists in all of us.”
Then, there was sportscaster Ernie Johnson’s candid and hopeful message about America’s future, as well as countless messages from well-known pastors who issued statements urging Americans to come together in unity. And who could forget Kid President’s awesome video message about why it’s important to disagree without “making everyone feel terrible?”
“In a heated argument, you can forget you’re talking to a person,” the 12-year-old accurately proclaimed.
Oh, and then there’s the story about a woman in labor who stopped to vote on the way to the hospital. Now, that’s dedication.
And to round out our 2016 political coverage, there are two additional stories worth reading: one about president-elect Donald Trump phoning the widow of a murdered police officer, and another about a woman’s chance encounter with former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton while Clinton was walking her dog in the woods the day after her concession.
Shifting gears, there’s a pretty cool Bible edition that’s been gaining popularity. A Christian comic book company recently released “The Kingstone Bible,” a 2,000-page graphic novel that tells the entire biblical narrative in comic book form. Founder Art Ayris told Faithwire he believes the book will inspire youths to dive deep into the scriptures.
It was also a big week for stories about heroic kids and their families. We published a piece about a little boy in Britain who has lung cancer and who almost died due to organ factor. But when doctors, who thought he was brain-dead, went to remove him from life support, a miracle unfolded: he started moving around, was kept on life support and somehow recovered.
Now, he’s at home playing and being monitored, with his parents hoping for a complete recovery.
There’s also a heartwarming video of a little girl named Ava who has leukemia, and who recently released a video asking people to pray for her. There are some other cool elements to that story as well, including that happened after her prayer.
On a tragic, yet simultaneously uplifting note, NASCAR came out in a big way to attend the funeral of another little boy who recently passed away. The power of the famed race car drivers’ act is perfectly encapsulated in photos and video.
And, finally, Faithwire had two stories this week that prove it’s never to late for someone to embrace God. First, we told the story of the late Mary Kay Beard, a once-infamous bank robber who went on to create the “Angel Tree” program, a Christian outreach that has served millions of children of incarcerated parents.
Then, there’s 95-year-old Ophelia White, who recently decided to get baptized — a move she hopes will inspire others to reassess their own lives as well.
“I want people to know it’s never too late,” White told The Baptist Message last month. “Get with it.”
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Other Must-Read Stories:
– NASCAR Stars React in an Incredible Way to Grieving Mom’s Request
– ‘Miracle’ Stops Doctors About to Remove Toddler From Life Support