Kindness

The other day, I was on my way to a doctor’s appointment. I had not yet had my morning coffee and for me, gas station coffee is just fine. Because I hadn’t been to this doctor’s office before, I couldn’t remember if there was a gas station from the chain I prefer close by. As I approached the area where the office was located, I noticed a different brand gas station, so I stopped not wanting to waste time looking for my “usual.” While I was getting my coffee from the machine, I noticed an older woman stooped over her purse and digging through it. When I paid for my coffee, I paid for her coffee as well.

I will tell you; this is not something I normally do. Why not? Because the last time I tried to pay for food for someone begging on the side of the road – a sandwich – she complained because it had meat in it, and she was a vegetarian.

When I saw the woman digging through her purse, she made me think of my mother and that was enough for me. I paid and left the store. I got in my car and began to back up not thinking another thing about it. As I began to pull out, she walked out of the store and caught my eye. From the smile on her face, you would have though she just won the lottery! She was grinning from ear to ear!

I can’t explain how that made me feel. I can tell you paying it forward, being generous, being kind, whatever you want to call it is something I am going to do more of when the opportunities arise. It wasn’t self-satisfaction I felt. It wasn’t pride in myself for helping someone out. It goes much deeper than that. It’s knowing I allowed my eyes to be open to seeing the opportunity to do the right thing for someone else and then acting on it.

So often, we are in such a hurry, we miss these little opportunities. Imagine if each of us did one small thing for someone else each day with no expectation for anything in return. And what if that thing you did was for someone you didn’t know, with a significant other you’ve been arguing with, or someone with whom you don’t agree (and therefore don’t talk to if you don’t have to) on religion, politics, or any other topic?

Acts of kindness shouldn’t be limited to those we know and like. Anyone can do that. It’s in being kind to those outside of our little circle that will make a difference in the world!

Just for Today – won’t you do one nice thing for someone else; for someone who wouldn’t expect it from you?

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4

– PSG –

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash