Verse for the day:
I also know about the love and kindness you have shown. (Ruth 2:11)

Several years ago when I was still living in California, I had to go in for some blood tests. It involved fasting, then drinking an awful over-sugared concoction and then having blood drawn every hour for 6 hours. By the time the tests were over I had nearly passed out from the reaction to the sugar. A lovely lady took it upon herself to care for me and in the end; she called her son to come and drive my car while she took me and drove the 25 miles across the toll bridge to my mother’s house. She refused any money for fuel or bridge tolls, I just remember her saying to do the same for someone else one day, then she left and I never did know her name.

I’ve remembered her words, to show that same unselfish kindness to others. I’ve taken to stopping when I see a young mother stranded on the road, or with a broken down car in a parking lot, or the time I saw a woman’s radiator break in a huge cloud of steam. I’ve never taken money for it, considering it the least I could do in light of the kindness that had been shown to me.

Then the strangest event of all was the day the acts of kindness were again returned to me. I was stranded on Interstate 80 with my then 13 year old son. The state troopers who were supposed to help didn’t, but a trucker did stop and got us to safety and a telephone so I could get a wrecker to see to my vehicle. If you would like to read the entire story (only our names are changed) I have it posted here { Stranded}.

No act of kindness ever goes unnoticed, at the time it might not be remarked on, but it is not unseen. First is the person on the receiving end of the kindness. Even if they don’t know it was you or they don’t know your name, they know that someone did them a kindness, and they will remember. Second there is God. He knows each and every unselfish act of kindness we have ever done for another, and he returns those blessings to us a hundred fold in many different ways. He also says in Matthew 25: 31 – 46 that the kindnesses we do for others, big ones, and little ones are done to him. I like to think that each kindness I do, while I know it helps the person here, today, from cheering up, to feeding, it just might be Jesus who is on the receiving end, and I don’t want to deny him a cup of cold water on a hot, dry day.

Dear Heavenly Father, show me the one person today that you wish to see me show love to. Show me just what would bring them the most joy and satisfy the need that they face today. If it is only a smile then let me share it freely, if it is a listening ear, then to pay close attention, and if it is the last money in my wallet, then let me give freely, in Jesus name, amen.