It was 'gently' brought to my attention that I have been on a tangent lately regarding the subject of words...I agree and enough about that.
So ...may I share what was on my mind this afternoon?!
A co-worker (a Russian who knows nothing about God) is forever asking me questions, and the one today was whether "church people" get paid for doing good/nice things in the community.
I tried to explain about charitable work, and then began to tell him that it's like going out of your way to do something nice for someone...even strangers, without seeking anything in return.
He thought that notion was ridiculous!!
I mentioned how that during the winter months, people would clean the snow from my windows as they cleaned their own...or the man who walked through the door of Kroger on a night that I was SO tired and had had SUCH a rough work day, and he pulled the shopping cart out and turned around and gave it to me.
Small things that kinda made my day...
I said, "Boris, it's like going to Aldis and paying the quarter for your own cart, but instead of returning it to retrieve your money, you wait for someone to walk up and then give them your cart...and let them keep their quarter..."
Again, he thought that was silly...
Giving is a feeling that cannot be described, and that thought brought something funny to mind.
Anyone ever watch the old Andy Griffith Show back in the day?!
There was one episode I loved...seemed Pa was reprimanding little little Opie (he must have been about seven or eight) for only giving 3 cents to the
Help the Hungry Children Fund in school.
Opie said, "Did I give too much...should I ask for 2 pennies back, Pa?!"
As I recall, Andy rolled his eyes and tried to explain that "one and one half boys goes to bed hungry every night."
Opie asked, "How do they do that, Pa?!"
"Do what, son?!"
"Make half a boy..."
Andy sighed, "It's not half a boy...it's a ratio..." and tried to explain what a ratio is.
Opie looked confused, and when Andy asked him what was wrong, Opie said, "I'm just thinking about poor Horatio..."
Andy was agitated now, and said sternly, "
Forget Horatio..." and Opie said, "It's hard to forget half a boy, Pa!!"
In desperation, Pa asked, "Son, haven't you ever given somebody something...just for the enjoyment of it?!"
Well, Opie understood
that, and said, "Oh yeah...just last week I gave Johnny Ray a black eye!!"
Andy..."No, that's not what I mean..."
Opie..."Oh, but I enjoyed it, Pa!!"
What Andy didn't realize was that Opie did indeed understand giving from the heart. He only gave 3 cents because he was saving his money to buy a little girl in his class a new coat...her parents couldn't afford to do it. He had purposed in his heart to not tell anyone what he was doing and why.
Giving makes a difference, not just for the receiver of the gift, but for the one giving.
It adds strength in weakness and joy for sadness...
Random acts of kindness are those things which may seem small, but really are not.
Even a smile or a gentle touch on the arm or hand may be the act of kindness that brings peace and healing.
It's not necessary to make a big deal...that's not giving from the heart...that's a display.
Kindness cannot be measured in things or in who knows we gave...kindness is measured in the heart.
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