Offering Kindness
Remember this saying, “A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.” - 2 Corinthians 9:6
Timmy was a sweet tempered boy with cognitive impairments in my second grade classroom. He came from a very poor family with many brothers and sisters. He tried hard to fit in with the other children but his over-sized shoes and tattered clothing made him stand out as different. Many local agencies tried to support his family but it was a challenge to make gains.
Just before Christmas break, I was opening gifts from the students and opened a package that was clearly wrapped by a child – without tape, and the gift wrap scrunched around the contents. It was a partially used bottle of perfume and it was from Timmy. A few children started to snicker. I immediately spritzed some on my wrists and raved about how beautiful it smelled. Timmy beamed and the class thankfully quieted. One boy even commented, “That’s nice Timmy. It smells good.” It was a gift from the heart and it touched me to think of his “quest” to find something for his teacher.
My response was no different from thousands of teachers who try to level the playing field between children who have and those who do not. But outside the classroom, how often do we miss opportunities to offer kindness to strangers? Do we turn a blind eye to someone who seems to be of a lesser standing, lack social graces, or appear “different?” How glorious it is to think of the teachings of Jesus in every day life: his love of the downtrodden, sick, and marginalized! During this time of Lenten reflection, may we seek ways to offer kindness in a world where it is lacking.
Prayer: Dear God, make us mindful of all who need our love. Give us the focus to be aware of the needs of others no matter how small. Help us find ways to show your kindness and caring to others and may we strive to always live as you would have us live. Amen.
Marcia Wright
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