“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Matthew 25:35
8-year-old Carmine McDaniel caught the attention of the world this past week with a simple act of kindness. He offered a cold drink to his mailman. Carmine loves when the postman comes to his house. He even dressed like a postal carrier for Halloween. When Carmine and his family realized that the temperature was going to reach the triple digits in their Virginia community they left an ice chest filled with water and Gatorade on their front porch. They attached a small sign that read, “Mailman: Water and Gatorade in the cooler – Have a good day.”
Later that day the McDaniel’s home security system caught Henry Bailey, Carmine’s mailman stepping onto the front porch and reading the sign. Henry’s reaction was great. While dripping wet with sweat, Henry is seen bending over the cooler and removing a cold drink. Without knowing he was being recorded, he simply said, “Thank God. Thank you!” Carmine’s kindness was well received.
In the middle of a hot day this 8-year-old fulfilled the words of Christ in the 25th chapter of Matthew when he offered a drink to an obviously thirsty soul. Providing a drink to a hard working person on a hot summer’s day seems like a simple gesture, but it is a deed that extends kindness, respect and the love of God while providing for the basic needs of a person. Each day we have the opportunity to share the love of God with our kindness. It may be giving a cold drink or simply saying “Thank you” to a person whose work affects your life. I hope that Carmine McDaniel will serve as a reminder to us all that we can share God’s love and bring hope to someone today with a small, but meaningful act of kindness.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
