Acts of Kindness – February 02, 2003
From time to time, the local newspaper features a letter to the editor that expresses thanks for random acts of kindness. The other day a grandmother whose car had stalled wrote in. She didn’t get the rescuer’s name, and so she sent a letter of thanks hoping it would somehow reach her good Samaritan.
Most often, those who do kind deeds never see their names in the newspaper; they rarely make headlines. But that’s OK. Their benevolence is not motivated by the thought of what they’ll get in return. They have big hearts, and they’ve discovered the thrill of doing something good.
Each of us can probably think of people who’ve helped us along the way. Often they’re close to home. A seven-year-old boy will not soon forget the kindness of his next-door neighbor. Just days before Christmas, the boy lost his dog, Buddy. He did everything he could to find him. He looked around the neighborhood, made a sign all by himself, and posted it on the mailbox. He asked neighbors if they’d seen him. Everyone was compassionate; they said they’d keep their eyes out for Buddy. But one neighbor did a little more. He woke up early the next morning and searched for the dog. And again in the evening, the neighbor canvassed the area. On Christmas morning, Buddy was home again, thanks to that kind neighbor. Can you imagine the boy’s delight when he woke up and discovered that dreams really do come true and prayers are indeed answered? The sparkle in his eye was the reward of kindness. And, as is often the case, the one who did the good deed was not even there to see it.
Hope swells every time we respond with kindness. Like breath, it moves through us all and reminds us that simple actions can make the world a better place. Human kindness gives meaning to otherwise ordinary days. We need each other; we depend on each other’s willing compassion and good cheer. By opening our hearts with simple acts of kindness, we feel connected to each other – and to the God who gave us life.
Program #3833