FOR A CHANGE OF PACE I thought I’d take a few minutes to think about people I’ve seen lately who have done something unselfish.
Nothing spectacular.
Just ordinary folks in everyday scenes putting someone else first.
A few weeks ago. Several from our Bible study class stained the deck of a fellow class member who has early-stage Multiple Sclerosis. There would have been lots more help, I suspect, but this staining took place on a weekday because the weekends had been too wet for too long. And the job needed to get done. Strainers: Karen Fitzherbert, Terry Bahadur, Gary Tranbarger. The homeowner worked right alongside them: Tim Edwards. Linda Miller delivered pizza and ice cold drinks.
Saturday. My son, Brad Miller, invited a classmate of his in the MBA program to join us on our bike ride along the river trail in Lawrence, Kansas (Rock caulk, Jayhawk). Usually Brad and I ride alone. But he invited his new friend, who’s a rookie to trail riding. Brad told me if his buddy couldn’t handle the trail, he’d ride with him on the gravel road on top of the levee—the easy way back. No need. The fellow did just fine.
Saturday. My daughter and daughter-in-law, Becca Miller and Jill Miller, spent much of the day with my wife. Not that my wife is a charity case. But the youngin’s are busy gals. And I think it’s kind and gracious of them to make time for the Earlier Generation. We parents of grown kids should admit that more often, I think. And treasure our time with them.
Sunday. Dave and Lisa Rock hosted our Bible study group at what we call our Second Sunday Social. We normally eat at the church, potluck-style on the second Sunday of every month. But this time we met at their home. Dave recently had heart bypass surgery. He’s still recovering, slowly getting back to working full-time. The Rocks didn’t have to do this. We gave them an out. But they were on the schedule since before his heart problem, and they wanted to honor their commitment. I’d have taken the out.
There’s nothing monstrously big about any of these unselfish acts. For the most part, they’re tiny things.
What good’s a tiny thing?
“David reached into his pocket for a stone…” (1 Samuel 17:49 The Message).
Thanks for sharing something positive that people are doing. “Tiny things” make up big things. All to often people think they have to do these grand acts of kindness or unselfishness and miss out on the simple things. Thanks for keeping it simple.
Thanks David. I agree, you don’t have to go on a mission trip to Honduras to do something for someone. Kind acts that seem small can make a lasting impression on someone, changing them for the better. Dominoes falling. Ripples starting.