Dear Reconcilers,

Thank you for your support for the ministry and encouraging comments on the monthly letters. This month’s letter is written by Willard High, Pastor Emeritus.

Acts of Kindness and Gratitude

Trying to get in and out of a Costco store can be quite an experience. Our store is perpetually busy and my most recent visit was no exception. It was an unseasonably cold, wet, and windy day. It was the kind of day I love when I am inside, warm, and dry, but hate when I am wet and cold as I was that morning. Although I managed to get the items on my wife’s list and get back to my car, I now needed to rush back and pick her up from her appointment.

As I backed out of my parking space, I looked ahead to my next task—getting out of the parking lot into the long, congested feeder line leading to the main highway. As I surveyed the faces of the drivers, I could see they were in no mood to let me in. They avoided eye contact and kept the space in front of their vehicles at a minimum.

 Just when I had resigned myself to be there for an extraordinarily long time, one person several cars back from my entry point in the line paused and looked me in the eyes as he applied his brakes. Was he letting me in? I inched forward, fully expecting him to refuse entry and close the gap as others in the line had done. Instead, he sat there and then motioned for me to go ahead. As I merged into the line, I felt a rush of gratitude. He did not have to let me in. I raised my hand to say thanks and to be sure he saw it, I repeated the salute.  

A wonderful thing happens when someone does a kind act, no matter how small, whether we see it or are the recipient. Most people, if they are touched by the act, have an almost immediate rush of endorphins, the feel-good hormones that our bodies create to make us feel better, happy, hopeful or that lessen pain. Often without thinking, we look for the opportunity to do something nice for someone else. We are much more likely to do a kind act for someone else after we have experienced kindness from another person. This is especially true if the kind act came from someone we did not know.

I noticed something on my drive out; I was looking for the opportunity to do something nice for someone else, like letting someone else in the line. This dreary day had changed. I kid you not—I began to notice the beauty of the early fall leaves and the sun trying to break through the clouds, all because someone was kind when they did not have to be. They have a term for it, “random acts of kindness.” It was modeled by the Good Samaritan of the Bible, and most effectively, by God. One random act of kindness can brighten the way and lift the spirits of many people. This is sorely needed in our world. Some Americans have experienced unprecedented sadness and loss due to catastrophic events: floods, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides, and other disruptive life events. My heart goes out to them. Each of us should do what we can to help. All of us should be more thankful for even the smallest acts of kindness done for us.

When practiced, kindness becomes more than a one-time occurrence. When hearts are touched and grateful, the act is passed along from one person to another and what began as a single act multiplies and spreads. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, think about the kindness and goodness of God and of those around you. Let us be truly thankful and look for ways to pass it on.