The Kindness of Strangers…

     I took a couple of days off just to chill and so my wife could work during the day at her part-time out of the house job.  So, that meant picking kids up from school and grocery shopping for the night’s dinner.

As we browsed the fresh produce for taco salad ingredients, our five-year-old admired the fresh flowers.

“Oh, they smell so good,” she stated with excitement.  “Can we have some?”

“Not today,” I halfway answered, trying to decide which pre-chopped onion package I wanted.  Just then, a dirty looking guy, also looking at fresh produce, asked, “Do you like the roses?”

Since we’ve taught them not to talk to strangers, she shyly nodded her head in approval and got back behind me.  The guy smelled of alcohol and looked like hadn’t washed his clothes in a while.

We continued our shopping, now a few isles over at the taco shells.  Soft or hard shell.  Then the rice. White rice, brown rice, pre-flavored or plain.  Why are there so many choices?  As we discussed the possibilities, we saw the guy walking down the aisle, roses in hand.  He handed me the receipt and presented the roses to the girls.  They were completely blown away.

He said in a very kind, warm, voice, “these are for you ladies with my compliments.”

When I saw him, I instantly judged him by his appearance.  Because he reeked of alcohol, wore dirty clothes, and looked unkept, I assumed he was a drunk.  But inside this man was a kind and generous heart.  Those roses cost $13.  To me, that is a lot to spend on a total stranger.  He didn’t care though.  He saw she liked the flowers and for some reason it touched his heart and moved him to purchase them for her.

Maybe he drinks to mask the pain of a child or grand child he never sees.  Could be to ease the pain of loosing a child.  His life could be empty because of his addiction and this brought him a little joy.  Whatever the reason, he was wrongly judged.

The first verse I thought of when this happen was, “when you do unto the least of these, you have done unto Me”.

Thank you sir for your kind gesture.  Assuredly you will not be forgotten.

I know I’m taking away two lessons from this kind stranger.  Don’t judge someone ONLY by their appearence… and don’t think you have to know someone before you show a random act of kindness.

Now… hot, medium, or mild sauce?

 

 

You Are More…

Copyright Sony Pictures

Okay, so I just saw “Soul Surfer” today.  You know the story of Bethany Hamilton.  If you haven’t seen it… apparently you’re busier than I am.  Bless your heart.  Here’s the condensed version.  A young girl who had always surfed was training one day for a surfing tournament when she lost her arm in a shark attack.  After which she questioned God’s plan for her life.

Along with being a strong athlete, she was close with God and very active in her youth group.  So, you begin to question, “why would God allow something like this to happen”?  Why would He allow someone who was truly one of His children to be mauled by a beast?  Why didn’t He intervene and stop the shark from attacking her?  That one I can’t explain.  I wish I could.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  But WE have to CHOOSE how we handle the situation.

What really moved me to write again, specifically about this, was the e-mail that followed.  It was titled, “You Have More In You Than You Think”.  Now what is the chance I watch this movie at this particular time followed by THAT e-mail immediately following the movie?  I would say very slim.  Except for Divine intervention.  It’s a little scary though.  Because I’m wondering if it is preparing me for something I think I can’t handle?  God does that you know?  Not only does he prepare us, He walks with us through whatever the challenge in life may be.  Why?  Because He wants us to trust Him with everything.  I mean EVERYthing.   Which brings me to a tweet I saw from Rick Warren today.  “You haven’t really trust God until you’ve attempted something you could never do in your own power”.  What an amazing statement!

This young girl used her faith to get her through a very trying time.  In the process she learned what is really important in life, which is our relationship with God and with each other.  When Christ spoke to a crowd of people that were following him He said we should not only love people who love US put people who don’t. (Mathew 5).  In that same chapter He called Christians “the light of the world”.

So whatever your loss may be today, remember that God is with you and wants you to trust Him.  Will you get an answer immediately?  Probably not.  Will you get the answer you WANT?  Maybe not.  Will you be happier having gone through this trial and knowing that God had everything under control?  Absolutely!  If you’re a Christian, put some works with your faith.  Follow the lead of God, get into His word, and be ready to hear what He wants you to do.  Let Him show YOU how He can take a significant loss and use it for His glory and honor!  He wants to take your financial hardship and bring you closer to people you may not have met if not for this challenge.  Let Him take a broken spirit and bring you closer to someone who really needs what you can offer.

If you’re not a believer, I really wish you’d give God a chance.  He loves you.  There are so many theories as to how we should live our lives.  But there are only two final destinations, neither of which we can fathom.  One is of eternal bliss.  The other is eternal torment.

Pick up a Bible and see what the wonderful God that created the universe and everything in it has to offer for those that believe and trust in Him.

Thank you Father for your grace and mercy.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share Your Word with those who need to hear.  Help me to be a better servant and witness for You.  In the precious name of Your Son Jesus, who died an agonizing death so we could have life, Amen!