Blessing Others Through Common Kindness February 25, 2009

Story Number 1 -

Yesterday (Sunday) on the way home from Church we got caught by a big, slippery, snowstorm. We almost got stuck on several hills – the first hill we just sat for a little while trying to go, and eventually were able to get going.

The next hill we sat on for a long time, making it up one inch at a time until finally we were stopped all together. So everyone except my Dad piled out of the van, and stood on the side of the road while, now with less weight, my Dad was able to make it to the top and onto the next road, at which point we all piled back in and kept going.

Then we got to the next, and last, hill – At the end of our road, and the smallest one at that, and that was it! We were stuck! (And at the end of OUR road too!). So, once again we all piled out, to see if our “less weight” trick would work again, and ran up the hill to our neighbors driveway to wait for Dad, (who wasn’t moving – At all). In our neighbors driveway was a neighbor kid (about 17-years-old probably, and who is also part of the volunteer fire department), standing next to his car watching us, (he looked like he was about ready to head out somewhere). When we reached his driveway he called out asking if we needed help, and saying he had some sand. Heading up to his garage he grabbed a bucket of sand, went down the hill to where our van sat, put sand on the front tires and on the ground around it, and PRESTO! Dad was able to make it up the hill! We thanked the kid, piled back into the car, and headed on to home. (In order to get to Grandma’s for lunch our Aunt and Uncle picked us up in their 4-wheel drive! ).

Story Number 2 -

Earlier this winter, also on another snowy  Sunday afternoon I believe, my Dad, sister, and I were heading out to go to my Grandma’s house when it happened! We got stuck at the end of our driveway! So, hopping out we began working to get free, (shoveling, getting boards, using sand, pushing, etc). It took a while, and while we were there, right across the street from us, was our neighbor and his son (around 13-years-old?) (Note – Different neighbor from the last story!), ignoring us, or standing watching us as we struggled to get out. They never once called out to ask if we needed help or anything like that. (We finally did get free, but it took a while, and we almost had to have my Grandpa come help us).

So, you are probably wondering why I just told these two stories about these two neighbors, (or maybe you have already guessed my point *looks at title* ). Well, here is the reason I told these stories -

When, in the 2nd story, we needed help and our neighbor wouldn’t lift a finger to help us, it left us with a yucky, and hurt, feeling. We went on to Grandma’s house feeling rather upset, and feeling “torn down.”

On the other hand, when the boy from the first story took just a couple minutes out of his day to grab some sand and come and help us, it left us feeling blessed, encouraged, and thankful. (And on top of that, feeling he was our hero! Hehe!).

After what happened in the first story, it just really made me think – It often takes SO little effort to help and bless another person with just “common” kindness. It took maybe five minutes out of this boy’s day, and in the end he had blessed our whole family with his common kindness (helping a neighbor). Also, this boy probably didn’t think much of what he did, after all, he is in the volunteer fire department, and he was telling my Mom how a lot of other calls had already come in that day with people stuck and needed help, which means, he probably was an old pro at this. But this seemingly small thing of helping a neighbor blessed us so much, and brightened our day, (and inspired me to write a post about this! ).

So, it made me resolve – I am going to try just doing “common kindnesses” for people, just a bit of going out of my way to help – clean up a spill, carry something for someone, find something for someone, speak a encouraging word for someone, send someone a e-mail or e-card to brighten their day, etc. These seemingly “tiny” things probably won’t take much effort on my part, or much of my time, but it’s amazing how those things which we consider trivial matters, are often the things that someone needs a helping hand, or an encouraging word with.

So, here’s my new motto – “Be kind, one to another, tender hearted…”  (and goes on to talk about forgiveness, which is a whole post in itself.).

So, I hope this post encouraged you, as did that boy who came out and helped us, to take just a few minutes here and there out of your day to do seemingly “common” kindnesses for people! See who you can bless today!

God Bless!

Amy :O)