The Kindest Thing You've Done

[Catsmeow]

Going back no more than one year, what's the single more actof kindess you've shown someone?

Perhaps you were gracious to a person and allowed them to take your parking spot when you were waiting..

Or maybe you noticed the guy in front of you at the checkout line was a little bit short on change and you made up the diference.

Or perhaps you held the door open for a person who had their handls full.

Perhaps you were taller and could reach an item on the top shelf they couldn't reach.

Maybe you laid down coupons next to some product you knew that you longer wanted to buy but thought someone else might like to.

Maybe you saw little children looking longingly at the bubble gum machine and you "innocently" left some change in the machine for them.

Maybe you help a troubled motorist or made a phone call them.

You helped an elderly neighbor with their groceries or offered them a ride.

The list could be a mile long...but has anyone had those special expecerienceswhere you fel the HOLY SPIRIT was at work inside of you?

[Guest charlie]

When I examine my life I can't remember doing anything good for anybody. But I can remember, going all the way back to childhood, things that I said or did that may have hurt someone's feelings.

[refugepsa91]

charlie....I can't think of a better time than now to start being kind to strangers, family and friends...just because you can't remember being kind...doesn't mean you can't. :il: I give you :hug: for your post.

The kindest thing I have done so far I believe is listening. I listen to people. My hubby always said I should have been a bartender :x: Jokingly though...cuz everyone calls me when they are having a problem. Sometimes I think geez people just figure it out yourselfs...I'm in the middle of supper....or on my way out the door...or trying to work (at video store) but I catch myself and apologize to the Lord for being selfish. I can have strangers who come into the store and I will say hello and always ask how are you today...sometimes someone will answer not very good today...and me being me always ask is there anyway I can help make it better?....You would be surprised how many actually look at me and just start to talk about what is bothering them. I always try to make sure they leave with a smile.

I hope this counts... :il:

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[Guest Called]

I do little things all the time, not bragging on myself mind you. I just follow the Holy Spirit! My main spiritual gift is giving. I love to give. I recently bought my cell leader a journal. I gave a card to one of my other cell members. There are other things that I do for strangers, but I can't think of them right now, too early! I also always put the grocery cart in the correct place outside when I am done. I am trying to make the cart pusher's job easier. I just try to put others first everyday. It is the little things that can make a difference.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

[rockswillcryout]

I won't share anything I've done, but i will share something that was done to me.

I was a junior in college, touring with a Christian Rock band, going to half-way houses, youth groups, camps, etc. The seven of us travelled in an 11 passanger van with a trailer holding all of our instruments and equipment. And we spent more of our time in Colorado that summer - going up very steep mountains. We broke down several times on the way up and on the way down those mountains and by the end of the summer, I think our poor van was simply tired.

We were in Wyoming on our way to Nebraska - the last few days of our trip. It was the end of July and steaming hot, as you can imagine. And the van broke down. But this wasn't a simply overheating - it was something major (I have no idea what it was - I know nothing about cars) So are srtanded on the side of a black top road. We got out the cell phone and called a local repair place, but they said they might be an hour or two. We were probably about a mile or two from the nearest town, so we were stuck. I have no clue how long we were out there, but it felt like forever!

Later on, a woman in a very delapitated car drove by us, but kept on going. At the time we didn't thing anything of it, but several mintes later, we are leaning up against the van in the shade, panting from the heat, this car drives up again. And the woman gets out with two plastics bags full of very cold bottled water for us.

What a relief! She had very worn clothes and two or three (I can't remember exactly) small children in the back seat of her car. She told us she didn't have much money and didn't feel she could help us very much, but knew water would be appreciated. She had no idea how wonderful it was!

One of the songs we performed that summer was the old song by Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker and Christine Dente called "Angels":

The touch of His hand will let me know

He takes me in and lets me go

If not for love, who would believe?

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in you and me

We're lifted up by angels

Higher than the world

Strong enough to leave it

Bound to learn the secrets

Angels never heard

Close enough to heaven

Far above the rain

Darkness cannot reach us

Let the angels teach us

Only love remains

I told that story every time I sang that song in concert from that day forward.

[Jacqueline]

The kindest thing I've ever done happened not to long ago at church. I try to take with me to church as many children as I can. One sunday two of the girls that I take with me went to the restroom and I knew something wasn't right because they were taking a very long time in there. I thought that may be they were playing. When they finally came out of the restroom they had this big smile on their faces. They told me that they had found some money in the restroom. I took the money and told them that they can't find any thing in a church. That it was just like home. If you see something it doens't become yours because you pick it up. I gave it to one of the ushers. Leave it to say they weren't very happy. During the service one of the little girls leaned over to me and said that the reason they took so long was because the other little girl found a purse someone forgot in the bathroom and they waited until everyone was out before she went through the bag and took the money. When I heard that I was so upset that I felt like crying. it wasn't hard to find the old women who'd forgotten her bag because she was crying.

I made the two girls go into the front room and then brought the woman to them and made them tell her what they had done. The women was just so happy to get her purse with all her ID and things back that she asked me not to punish the girls.

The old woman was crying, the girls was crying, I was crying. As I watched the old woman who had decided to go home walk out of the front door. Something in my soul told me to show mercy to the girls. It was like someone said to me If Jesus can show you mercy you can show them mercy and so I did.

Later on I realized that if I'd told their parents their parents would have used that to keep them from going to church. Don't get me wrong. I showed mercy by not telling their parents, but they did not get away with it either. Every sunday I and the kids with me help clean up the mess thats left behind after the service. They know how to take, but by the Grace of God I'll teach them to give back.

God Bless You

Jacqueline

Edited July 31, 2004 by Jacqueline

[BoldlyProclaimingChrist]

:x: :x: :x:

[Born Again]

I probably should not have done this (my Mom would kill me if she knew! ), but a few weeks ago I was leaving work (at 10:00 pm) and a man drove up and asked if I had $2 for him to get some food. He said he was on his way in from Indiana because he was starting work in a town nearby and spent his last money on gas. The weird thing was, I actually had cash. I hardly ever have cash- I always use my debit card. I had a $5 bill, so I very quickly gave him my money and said "God Bless You" and he thanked me profusely (and for giving him more than he asked). Yes, I was stupid for risking my well-being, but I was hoping to plant a seed with my giving and with my statement. Who knows?

(Deb and Kris- you better not tell Mom! I have a certain amount of discernment! And I don't pick up hitchhikers! )

[Kay]

not to sound holier than thou;

but it is remembering to praise the Lord at all times; giving HIM the glory; it sets my whole day and mood. And I just smile and share His love with everyone I cross

Love

K

[Guest starry_emzy]

I cant think of nehting off the top of my head but i do know that i always try and be polite and happy to those that might need the warm welcome or smile, coz a big grin can go a long way

em