CLANDESTINE ACTS OF KINDNESS?
Did you hear about the family who put out soft drinks for the garbage collectors? A friend of mine that I knew in another town loved to do benevolent acts for people in need without ever telling anyone who did it. Then there is the person who always pushes a stray cart or two back to the store from the Wal-Mart parking lot.
These "clandestine" acts of kindness have inspired me to look for opportunities to show kindness to people I don't know or who may never see me again. It's fun to do and even to watch how people react. I pulled into the local Wal-Mart parking lot recently to find three shopping carts in a parking space that was nearer to the store than any other available spaces. One had just been left there by a woman getting into her SUV. I wanted that parking space, so I pulled in as far as I could; got out of the car and began gathering up the three carts. The woman just sat in her SUV looking at me like I had taken leave of my senses. She didn't start her vehicle to leave until I started toward the cart storage area pushing all three carts.
It's the little acts of kindness that sometimes makes a difference in the lives of others-and maybe yourself as well. Just things like opening the door for people behind you as you enter a building; or letting someone with only two or three items to check to go ahead of you at the check-out; or stepping up with the penny or two needed by the old lady ahead of you to pay for her purchase without having to dig through her purse to find it.
It is amazing how much better you feel when you show kindness and courtesy to others. No one is made to feel better by the aggressive driver or hurried shopper who bullies other people or tries to make sure no one gets ahead of him or out-does him.
Brotherly kindness is one of the virtues in Peter's list of Christian characteristics that we should add to our faith (2 Peter 1:7). "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another. .. " (Colossians 3:12).
At the end of the day, when you put your head down for the night, it is easier to go to sleep recalling your act of kindness that no one else knows about except you and the person you befriended ... and God! If all you can recall for the day is the irritations or frustrations of a "steam-roller" attitude, it may be difficult for you to go to sleep at all. The best sleep inducer is peace of mind. Amen?
