“God has given each
of you a gift. Use it to help each
other." ~ 1 Peter 4:10
Steph loved the sky before a storm.
Clouds of molten silver were swirling in
steady, radiating ripples; alive with an excitement for what was to come. It seemed that ideas streamed as natural
things do on these peaceful drives - from sweet brown soils, glossy leaves, and
scarlet tulips.
Her daughter Cassie sat in the
backseat, quietly enthralled in her Lion King video for the hundredth or
more time. She watched as children do, giggling,
wiggling, and oblivious. If given a
choice between a gold coin or a kitten, she'd take the silly cat every time. Such simple wisdom.
Their tranquility literally came to a screeching halt when a
small object appeared in their headlights, eyes staring back in sheer
terror. Steph hit the brakes with but a
split second to react, stopping inches before a confused and terrified small
dog.
Steph switched on her hazard
lights before exiting her vehicle. Bright
eyes on full beam, tail wagging, the little guy softened into grateful
mode. With eyes so intelligent he could’ve
been from Narnia, Steph half expected him to speak as she coaxed him toward the
shoulder.
Cassie came fully alert when horns began honking. Steph opened her door and the pup immediately
jumped in, quickly finding Cassie’s lap.
“Well, hello there,” she said in a voice as sweet as a new blossom, and buried
her face in the living teddy bear. In seconds
her face was covered in slobber.
"Kisses ... why ... thank you," Cassie giggled
appreciatively. Her tail no longer
wagged, but circled like a helicopter blade; any happier, and his saucer-plate
paws might’ve caught some air.
Steph stood there wondering what to do next when a car
pulled up. Luckily a nice older couple
(the fourth car to stop, the rest sailed on by) asked if they were okay.
“We’re fine!” Steph said before jokingly asking “You haven't
lost a dog, have you?"
“Oh my God,” the woman said,
"Yes! A German Shepperd puppy named
Rascal. He’s appropriately named because
he can jump three-foot fences and chew through doors, but we love him already.”
“I believe he's in the back of my car!!” Steph motioned.
They exchanged contact
information, and Cassie offered free dog sitting to the owners while Rascal
gave her a few more wet kisses.
A double whammy - two acts of
kindness reciprocating each other.
We strengthen our capacity to
empathize and care by seeing ourselves in others. Even in small things, it’s this cycle of
reciprocity upon which the health of the human family depends. Human kindness needs only the nourishing soil
of reciprocity to thrive. May we all
benefit from loving reminders to act following this wisdom.
Father God, let me be large in thought,
word, and deed. Help me put away all
pretense and meet others face to face — without self-pity and prejudice. May I never be hasty in my judgment, but
generous, calm, and gentle. Amen
