"Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each
other as God has forgiven you through Christ." Ephesians 4:32 (GW) It was many
years ago. I was a young father on my way home to my wife and baby boy after
spending all day taking college classes. I had gone back to school to get a
degree in Education. I wanted to secure a teaching job that would help me to
build a better life for my growing family.
It was a two hour round trip to the college, though,
so everyday I would pray for my 20 year old gas guzzler to make it all the way.
As I started down a lonely stretch of highway about 12
miles from my home I noticed a car parked along the side of the road with its
emergency flashers on. On the side of it a small woman was struggling to change
a flat tire. This was long before the age of cell phones and I knew that any
other help might not arrive for a while. I pulled up behind her car then and
offered to give her a hand. Her own hands were bruised and bleeding from
struggling with the lug nuts and she had tears of frustration in her eyes. The
lug nuts were rusty and tight and the lug wrench a little small but after a
while I got the flat off and the spare tire on. As I said goodbye the little
lady hugged me with tears of relief this time. I waved and drove off a little
embarrassed at her appreciation. After all, it had just been one kind act.
It took me a lot of years after that to learn the true
power of one kind act. One kind act can change the world. One kind act can teach
more love of God than a million words. One kind act can save a lost soul, heal a
hurting heart, and mend a broken life.
Never pass up the opportunity then to do one kind act.
Never pass up the chance to share your love. Never pass up the possibility that
your own kindness can do God’s will and make this world a better place. Every
day we are given the choice to be loving or selfish. Every day we are given the
choice to be cruel or kind. Always choose to be kind.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.