A Simple Act of Kindness

​When we awaken each day, we are all presented with a very unique gift. We are given the opportunity to make a positive contribution in the life of someone else. Whether we choose to simply smile at a stranger as we board the elevator, or perform some anonymous act of kindness that can’t be repaid; we have the opportunity to do something good for someone else. Could there be any better gift than that?

Well, after giving this a lot of consideration, I believe that there is something even greater than being able to positively impact someone else – and that is to be on the receiving end of this selfless act of kindness from another.

Now before you click away, allow me to explain. I have always been someone that believes if anything is worth doing, it should be to the benefit of others – beside myself. I have often made use of my gift to help others when they are in need, whether it was simply donating my time to a charity, or directly helping someone overcome a seemingly insurmountable situation. Whatever the case, I have always been outwardly focused on helping others. Then I found myself in need of assistance, and this changed my perspective greatly.

In the midst of the current global economic trauma we are experiencing, I was faced with having to close down my business after three and a half years of very hard work. The timing of this could not have been worse – closing our business with personal funds running out, a new baby ready to arrive any day, and facing a dismal employment market. The odds seemed greatly stacked against me.

However, as I opened up my heart and mind, and placed my trust in the Lord, amazing things  began to happen. Opportunities came into my life from people that I would never have met otherwise, had I not allowed myself to trust. Changes, small and big, began taking place in my life that I cannot otherwise explain except that they are truly God given experiences.

Now as much as I love being the person that can help others in their time of need, I must say that experiencing the kindness of strangers is truly more rewarding. Because when we are receiving the gift of someone else’s help when we are most in need, it is then that we are truly experiencing God’s grace.

Question: When have you received God’s grace through others?

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