Kindness makes a difference. It makes a difference to the person who is the recipient of the act of kindness. It makes a difference in the life of the person who intentionally offers kindness. Kindness changes people and circumstances for the better. This is why St. Luke’s has called 2016 the year of the Kindness Project. We are intentionally committing ourselves to performing at least one act of kindness a day. We have made this commitment because kindness is encouraging, uplifting, and a positive force for change.
I experienced kindness this morning on my way to work – I don’t usually have the opportunity to talk about kindness and my morning commute in the same story; morning traffic is less than a kind environment. – Today I stopped off at Sonic to get my morning caffeine. The line at the drive-thru was long and moving slowly. I placed my order and waited. The cars in front of me received their orders, one by one, and I gradually made my way to the window to pay and receive my drink.
When I reached the drive-thru window, the carhop who seemed to be overly excited for her early morning work quickly captured my attention. She quickly told me that the lady in front of me had paid for my drink, but only because the person in front of her had paid for her drink. I was excited to hand her the money in my hand and say, “Let’s see if we can keep this going.” Her smile and enthusiasm was visible. She was excited to see just how far this act of kindness was going.
Kindness makes a difference. When I pulled up to the drive-thru I was only thinking about getting my drink and getting back on the road. Witnessing the excitement of the carhop and being the recipient of a small act of kindness gave me cause to stop and remember that we can all make a positive difference. I think I smiled a bit more on my way to work today. It was a great reminder to me that kindness makes a positive difference. It can transform a moment and bless a life. What act of kindness will you do today? You never know whose life you will bless.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
