Love Much
As we’ve grown more distanced from each other, many of us still strive to help others. We’re doing it more and more through charities, online giving, and programs in our churches, but we’re all so busy surviving with almost no extra time, we often gloss over the little things, the simple gestures and kindnesses that bind human to human.
When we’re overburdened ourselves with life’s demands growing more difficult each day, we’re often mentally marking things off of our list, so it doesn’t occur to us to smile at each other.
Sometimes we’re having such a hard time keeping up with the day’s demands, listening to another person whose heart is troubled doesn’t occur to us, but it can mean so much.
If we’re pre-occupied, we can overlook that spur of the moment need that jumps out at us from nowhere.
These are little things, but they’re often important to the person who needs a bit of help. One day in a crowded restaurant where people place their orders and then pick them up, a young woman saw a distressed, elderly lady standing in front of the pick-up station. She smiled at her, and the worried lady said, “I’m not sure if I told them I need my order to go. But I really have to have it to go, and I don’t know what to do.”
The young woman replied, “Give the guy getting the orders together your name and tell him you want to make sure yours is to go.”
The woman relaxed and said, “Thank you. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Later the young woman saw the elderly lady leave with her “to go” bag.
On some days something as simple as one who does his or her job well seems a rare gift. In a restaurant, a rude waitress or waiter can ruin a meal for a customer who’s looking forward to enjoying a relaxing break during a chaotic day, perhaps the first moment to enjoy he or she has had in months. If an ill person goes to the doctor and doesn’t find a compassionate, competent caregiver, the results can be unsettling, or even disastrous. On the other hand, a kind, caring person can often lift a sad patient or diner’s spirits. It works the other way too. A customer or patient can lift the spirits of a person serving them.
When we take time for the little things and touch one another’s souls, we once again see the reward in giving of ourselves and connecting with others.
I can’t help but recall the Scripture about the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears then poured perfume over them in Luke 7: 38 - 50. Since people of that time and area walked long hours in sand from one place to another, this must have been soothing, even though it wasn’t a big thing. That is to say, it probably wouldn’t make the news today as a mission without a celebrity headline. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus to have dinner with him even suggested Jesus shouldn’t allow her to touch him. Yet, according to the passage, she pleased Jesus because “she loved much.” (NIV)
Can you tell us about a time when someone showed you a kindness, you witnessed a kindness or you saw a need and filled it? If so, please share in the comments below.
A Book with Caring Characters
When I wrote Hair Calamities and Hot Cash, I wanted to recreate the small town camaraderie I witnessed years ago in my mother's customers in her beauty shop at the foothills of the North Carolina Mountains. I was thrilled to see the following in a five-star review: "Loved this story. I want to live in a town like Triville, North Carolina. Mountains. You meet friendly people who are more like family and they care abut you..."
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Comments
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your comments.
Also, thank you, Gina, for sharing the act of kindness.
Ah, thank you for sharing that story with us.
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. It's so true.