A Random Act of Kindness

Zachariah 7:9 “Show kindness and mercy to one another.”

Remember the days when Chicken Pox were very prevalent, and oh so very contagious? This is how it hit our family of 4 children. Child #1 comes home with a “spot” that itches……. by the next day, he was covered with pox.  2 week later, child #2 comes down with them. Two weeks after that child #3, and two weeks after that, child #4!   Thus, I was at home for 2 months, with no phone, during the winter months with 4 young children. My husband worked 2 jobs, so he pretty much worked, ate, and slept. ( I thank God for my husband, who has always been a hard worker). I was going stir crazy, and longed for some “adult” conversation instead of Sesame Street and Muppets! What a long 2 months!  I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear normal conversation! Well into the 3rd week of being confined in the house with the children, there came a knock on our door. Standing at the door were a mother and daughter from the church we attended at the time. Opening the door to them, I was so happy to see them! here was someone I could actually carry on an adult conversation with. These women talked for a while, and as it got closer to lunch time, the daughter (who had 3 children of her own, about the same age as my children) asked if she could prepare some lunch for the children. Yes, she had even brought things she figured the children would like. Her mother said that if I didn’t mind, her daughter would stay with the children and feed them lunch while she took me out for lunch. What an unexpected blessing! The kindness of these two women, over 30 years ago, is something that left a lasting memory, and I have shared the story often.

How do you think the world would re-act, if everyone displayed kindness? Think of the times, while waiting in a checkout line at the store, you have heard someone yelling at or berating one of the cashiers. Or how about the grief given to an order taker at a fast food restaurant when the order they give someone is not correct.  The next time you hear something like this happen, you can make the cashiers day brighter, just by smiling, and being friendly to them. Perhaps paying them a  sincere compliment. This should be the way we clothe ourselves as Christians.

Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to clothe myself in Your kindness, compassion, humility, meekness and patience. Help me to extend kind words, and understanding to those around me. Help me to love others with Your love. Work in me and through me. I give You all the praise and glory for what You are going to do through me today. In Jesus Name, Amen.