“Judy’s story” – a Golden Rule Moment – Arizona Interfaith Movement

Golden Rule moment

Judy’s story

Albert Celoza

Special to the Republic

Listening to Judy about her Golden Rule moment filled me with delight. She recounted that when she was about eight, her parents invited her to come and visit an older adult. ‘I was excited to go because here was my chance to get a cookie. Everyone knows old ladies are famous for their cookies. Upon entering her home, I found her smile to be a ray of sunshine. When her parents sat down and visited with her, I thought it was the perfect moment to sneak away and peek into her cookie jar. To my disappointment, her cookie jar was empty. So I began to look at her cupboards and then the refrigerator. They were all empty. The only food she had was the small loaf of bread and the jug of milk my parents just gave her.’

Decades later, this was the Golden Rule moment that remained with Judy. She said, ‘all this time I felt sorry for myself for not getting a cookie, until I met this woman who was willing to share the only thing she had left: her smile.’ She said, ‘Everyone has something to give, even if that is simply a smile to brighten the lives of others.’

Judy Renfro was born in Mesa and is one of its lifetime residents, where both the idea and the acts of giving have been a major part of her life. This is reinforced by being in a circle of people who love to serve others not only because of religious teaching but also as a commitment to the community. She has led volunteer efforts, from creating hygiene kits for people without housing, packing food for the organization Feed My Starving Children, writing, collecting, and sending thank you cards to members of the armed forces, to many more.

It is, however, assisting those whom the world calls ‘addicts’ but Judy calls ‘heroes’ because of their strivings and struggles on the path of recovery. How is she able to commit her time and resources to service? Judy thinks that it is not for her to judge but to help others. More importantly, she knows that no one person can do this alone. Thus, it has become her passion to encourage others to a life of volunteerism. The Arizona Interfaith Movement has designated 9/11 and Martin Luther King Day as days of service. Judy, as the Movement’s vice president for volunteerism, encourages others to live the Golden Rule by contributing to the welfare of the community through service. Mother Teresa has been a great example and is known for her work on behalf of the sick and the poor. She said, ‘We shall never know all the good a simple smile can do.’ Judy Renfro knows this as the smile from the old neighbor continues to inspire her to this day.

Renfro