Show A Little Kindness
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.” Romans 12:10
One day, a student was taking a walk with a professor who was commonly called the students’ friend because of his kindness and his being a life coach.
As they went along, lying in the path was a pair of old shoes which belonged to a poor man who was employed alone in a field close by for a day’s wage.
The student turned to the professor: “Let us play a trick on the man. We will hide his shoes, hide behind those bushes and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.”
My young friend answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor rather let us put a coin in each shoe, let’s hide and watch how the discovery affects him.”
They did so and the man soon finished his work, came across the field to the path where he had left his shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes but feeling something hard, he stooped to see what it was and he found a coin.
Astonishment and wonder overwhelmed his countenance. He gazed at the coin, turned and looked all around fervently to see if someone had dropped it for him but no one was there. He held the money and proceeded to put on his other shoe but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.
The overwhelming feeling was beyond expectation. He fell upon his knees and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless. He mentioned his children who are without bread, but whom this timely intervention from some unknown hand would save from languishing.
The student stood there speechless deeply affected, tears filled his eyes. Now said the professor I think you are better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?
The youth responded, today you have indeed taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I now understand the truth in those words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
We may not realise that a little act of kindness in words, disposition and attitude adjustment can make life better for our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family members
rather than the intended trick of harsh words supposedly to put them in check.
Let’s apply this lesson to make life better for others.
“So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10