An Intentional Act of Kindness
We often hear about doing "Random Acts of
Kindness". However, I wonder how
our lives would be different if we practiced "Intentional Acts of
Kindness". We all have the
opportunities to make a difference for someone if we would only stop and think
and be intentional in our actions.
I challenge you to think back over
the last few days and recall opportunities you had to make a difference but
instead you chose to ignore because of whatever reason. Maybe you thought you
were too busy, you were running late, or you were pre-occupied with your own issues
in life. We all have the potential and
opportunity to be kind to another and it does require one to have wealth or
powerful resources. It can be as simple as holding a door, helping someone load
a heavy or awkward package in the car, writing an encouraging note, a kind
word, buying someone a cup of coffee, paying for lunch for someone, offering a
smile to someone you meet at the grocery store or maybe just sitting and lending
a sympathetic or listening ear to a friend.
The following scripture is a wonderful reminder of why I
think we need to practice intentional kindness:
27-29 Never walk away from someone who
deserves help;
your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
or “Try me tomorrow”
when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting
your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
or “Try me tomorrow”
when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting
Proverbs
3:27 The Message
As I read this scripture I am reminded that unless I am
aware of the needs of those around me I may miss the opportunity to be God’s
hand for that person. I don’t think
being too busy and walking away honors what God would have me to do. And I have found helping others brings
happiness to me as well. When we help
others we also help ourselves. It is not a prideful experience but for me it is
one of humility that God allowed me to be His hand of help for that person.
Recently I was watching a class of preschoolers outside my
office window playing with side walk chalk.
In the class there is a little boy who has had a hard adjusting to being
in preschool and chooses not play with the other preschoolers in the
class. In fact, he keeps to himself most
of the time. The preschoolers have tried
to engage him in playing with them, however, most of the time he does not accept
their invitation. He was sitting on the sidewalk with a piece of chalk in his
hand and the picture of his family which is his comfort at preschool and it
goes everywhere with him. One of the little girls in his class walked over and
sat down beside him. After a few minutes
she said, "Would you like me to hold your picture while you draw". I was surprised as he handed her picture and
drew with the chalk.
As I observed the two preschoolers my first thought was,
"Wow, what a kind thing for her to do." And then as I pondered it a little longer I
thought of the value of doing something kind for someone who needs it. I know in the first few weeks of school she
had tried to engage him in play but was turned down. However, she did not let not that stop her
from trying to be kind one more time.
When the teacher asked the preschoolers to put the chalk in the bucket
and line up, she helped him put his chalk in the bucket. Then they walked hand
in hand to the line with her still holding his picture for him.
I must admit as I watched this lesson from God through these
preschoolers, tears came to my eyes. I was reminded that sometimes all it takes
is to walk over to someone and sit with them.
Sometimes it may be sitting in silence for a few minutes before you
offer a helping hand, but when you do God uses you to be His hand for that
person.
I am also reminded of this quote from the 18th
century preacher John Wesley
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in
all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to
all the people you can, as long as you ever can”.
It may amaze you what an “Intentional Act of Kindness” will
do for your life.
You will never know unless you try!
A-men
