Flowing Kindness in Secret

I ran across this story in one of my daily devotionals. Thought that it was so wonderful that I just had to share. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we got out of our own ways and paid it forward.

LATE one evening while studying at the seminary library, I overheard a conversation at a table near mine. The mother of one of the students was ill. He wanted to go home to visit her but could not afford to lose the money he would have earned at his part-time job. I was touched by the story and so, quietly, I found out the student's name. Quite sure that he did not know me, I looked forward to a chance to do something good in secret.

That afternoon I cashed a check for the amount he had mentioned and folded the money in a piece of paper with these words typed on it: "Go see your mother. Love, Jesus." The money and the letter went in an envelope that I placed in the student's campus mailbox. It felt good to know that perhaps I had made a difference in the life of the son and his mother.

An endless stream of kindness could flow from each of us to make the world around us a gentler place. Someday when I am in need, the Lord who has seen what I have done in secret may reward me with just what I need, given by a perfect stranger.

Anonymous

Scripture says: When you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. --- Matthew 6:34

Far too often do you hear people state what they did and who they did it for. They want accolades and attention. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with either but sometimes the deed goes unnoticed or becomes insincere. I am sometimes guilty of this too. I do not take into consideration that it's not that I did the deed but more so about the deed itself. When I take away from the deed by boastfully sharing, I take away from the blessing a bit. Then there are those that do something because of what they will receive in return. This is almost worst than being boastful. We should not do things for recognition; we should do them because it is the right thing to do to make someone else better. It may just make you feel wonderful.

After my father died, I lost my job and I was working a couple of part time jobs. I was thankful to be a part of church family that was very compassionate. I received a number of cards from people that I didn't know sharing their love and sympathy. When things got tough my church was helpful. My Pastor at the time called and text me every day for 3 weeks checking on my well being. When I finally decided to move back to Los Angeles, I wrote my pastor a letter sharing that I would be moving back home and provided him with all of my contact information. When he saw me on my final Sunday, he asked if he could share with the congregation that I was moving and of course I obliged. When the time came, he asked me to come up to the pulpit and told the church my situation. Of course many people did not know several of the particulars of the situation but they all seemed to care and prayed for me. When I got back to my seat I received an envelope that said God Bless Sister and I will be praying for you with no name. It was sent by an usher and inside was $100. There was no name and no one to say thank you to but I recall being so grateful. Grateful that God had put it on someone's heart to bless me. That anonymous angel did something nice for me in secret and trusted that God would reward their compassion. I still have that envelope, it still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and I am still ever so grateful.

Here is a little HOPE and TRUST for someone.