I’d like to share a little story about the power of kindness.
Have you ever had a really bad day where everything just isn’t going your way? You wake up and there’s no more cream in the fridge. You leave late for work and there’s a pile up, causing you to be even more late. The principal calls you during the day to share that your child has caused trouble and now you and your spouse are having a fight over text.
Have you had those days? I have, that’s for sure.
Awhile back I was out for the day with my daughter. We had done some shopping and we were having a great day, spending time together.
I decided to grab some coffee before heading back home. As I pulled into the Tim Horton’s drive thru, I could see the line was quite long. It didn’t matter to me, because I wasn’t in a hurry.
While we were waiting, my daughter and I engaged in conversation. Then, something caught my attention.
I heard anger and frustration coming from the vehicle behind me. Now I’m not talking about one outburst of frustration for the world to hear. I’m saying this man behind us was over-the-top mad.
I looked in my rear view to see who it was, and perhaps find the reason for the man’s clear anger. There was none, other than the fact that the line in the drive thru was long.
As we got closer to the speaker box to order, his frustration only magnified. Everyone in a half mile radius could hear this man’s outburst.
Was I getting frustrated and angry along side of him? Yes, I was. I believe that your manner and attitude has a way of affecting the atmosphere around you, whether it’s positive or negative.
I ordered and pulled ahead with one car in front of me at the window, currently paying for their order. I made a decision in that moment. One way I could choose was to let my resentment of this man get the better of me and maybe go even slower to ‘teach him a lesson’. I could also do nothing and try to shake off his negative energy. Or I could rise above.
What happened next was only by the power of the Holy Spirit, as the man behind me was revving his engine and cursing.
I decided to pay for his coffee. The act of kindness only cost me $2 or $3, but what happened next was priceless.
I was going to try and drive away quickly so as not to drag out a good deed, but the traffic after the drive thru was busy. The once angry man received his free order and pulled up behind me. The look on his face, in fact his whole demeanor had completely changed.
He stuck his head out of the window, held his coffee cup up, and mouthed ‘thank you.’ He had a countenance of peace in his eyes, changing from rage to calm.
This story is not about me, but rather the power of kindness. One small kind act, completely undeserving, changed the script.
Have you ever had those bad days and wished for grace in your situation? I have. I also have been blessed by a God who showed me love when I was worthy of none.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
The fact is, we are completely and unconditionally loved right now. As that beautiful truth sinks in, it allows us in the overflow, to show kindness to undeserving people.
As you go out into the world today, look for opportunities to spread love and kindness to people around you. There’s no telling how it will change the atmosphere and world for the better!
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