Kai stood there with his daughter Ella holding a volleyball. A woman pulled up in a car with several children inside. Her teenage daughter asked one of the volunteers if he had a volleyball. The man turned and saw Kai holding exactly what the girl asked for. With a smile as big as a branch in a ponderosa pine tree, Kai handed the ball to a volunteer who gave it to the girl. The teenager’s smile grew as wide as Kai’s. The receiver of the gift caught a contagious heart-smile from the giver of the gift.
That’s how it goes with Kai Tierney, he’s always ready in season; creating heart-smiles, often unseen - except in the eyes of God and those closest to him. In his personal life, Kai is a model for any man wanting to be the best husband and father he can be. It’s not that he’s perfect, but what sets him apart from most men is, he’s teachable. Kai studies and learns from other men. He walks the walk of a man hungering for God’s more excellent way of loving everybody around him.
Often Kai can be found with his wife and daughters volunteering at an event called Grill & A Prayer held on the streets of Flagstaff. Folks in need come to the community outreach for free clothes, food, prayer and many other free items. Kai found an old bike and refurbished it. That bike was given to girl whose family was living in a motor home and passing through town. The girl left with her bike and a smile as the family traveled on through. Another heart-smile created, another life touched by a man who acted in compassion behind the scenes.
Kai creates heart-smiles on most of his days and most of them go unseen. He’s one of those “extra-mile guys” who go above and beyond expectations. He doesn’t just use the work of his hands with bikes, volleyballs and a ton of other things he and his family give away, Kai never hesitates to form personal relationships with folks in need. He listens deeply and makes people feel valued and special. You can often see him taking the time to pray with people.
Imagine how many lives have been touched and impacted by the Tierney Family. Hearts that beat with compassion create generational ripple effects. Heart-smiles rise over the horizon of changing seasons bringing joy and relief in times of struggle. Kai has a heart with peripheral vision, he can spot folks in need of compassion a mile away in any direction. He leaves smile imprints on hearts in many places. It may be at a gas station, community outreach, church, work, or maybe putting together a trampoline at a safe home for Navajo children. He’s taught fatherless kids how to fish at the Father’s Fish Camp and shared a s'more or two in the process! Anywhere he goes, Kai’s heart is locked and loaded ready to fire off an act of compassion with a smile.
God bless you Kai Tierney! You’re a great role model for men on how to be one of God’s secret agents of compassion. Thanks for all you do. May your generosity be a reciprocal blessing on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus loves you and so do we. #JLYASDW
