“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” ~ Philippians 2:3
Carl got to the airport late. Traffic, furloughed TSA agents,
and threatening weather put him fearfully behind schedule. His anxiety rose
like an Alaskan tide – swift, strong, and unstoppable.
When he found his
middle seat near the tail end of the Boeing 737, Carl made a mental note to scold
his assistant for such dreadful travel arrangements. His hope of seizing the
empty aisle seat in front of him was quickly extinguished by a confused, elderly
woman struggling to navigate her way down the aisle. Her frailty brought a
momentary halt to the cabin’s pre-flight hustle.
“Could this day get
any worse?” Carl impatiently
thought to himself. Other passengers, too, grew irritable and restless as the octogenarian’s
challenges delayed Friday afternoon’s takeoff.
At that moment, a man
in First Class summoned the flight attendant. Instead of complaining about the
holdup, he had something else in mind… and offered a touching solution.
Carl’s mood instantly softened. Hostility melted away,
giving way to benevolence and acceptance. The man’s unexpected selflessness
reverberated throughout the cabin, reminding everyone of the enduring power of
empathy and kindness.
The flight attendant helped facilitate the seat exchange.
The older woman’s gratitude was obvious. “No one has ever done that for me
in my 87 years. Thank you!” she uttered, her words echoing deep
appreciation.
Upon reflection, Carl
felt shame for his hurtful feelings. He’d let the day’s chaos and uncertainty
cloud his thoughts and behavior. Maybe if he were kinder to others, he’d foster
more meaningful relationships! He vowed (once again) to try harder and look
for opportunities to extend Christ’s love and compassion to those around him.
That gentleman didn’t need fanfare - he saw a need and met
it, serving the kindness we all crave. We’re all capable of kindness, yet we
often restrict it to a select few: our children, family, pets, and others dear
to us. If we’re capable of extending kindness to them, nothing stops us from
being kind to others... except a will to do so.
In a world often dominated by headlines of controversy,
scandal, and self-interest, it’s refreshing to be reminded that kindness, even
the smallest gesture, still has the power to surprise us. Holding the door open
for someone, offering a genuine smile, or listening to someone in need can make
a difference – in both of us!
When individuals experience kindness, they are more likely
to pay it forward and extend the same warmth and compassion to others. This
ripple effect often creates a chain reaction, touching the lives of countless
individuals and potentially transforming communities. While it costs nothing,
its value might be immeasurable.
My Lord, even when I don’t feel gratitude in
my heart, I still praise and thank You. I pray that You will continue to soften
my heart in such a way that I will fully love in the way You’ve called me to
love. Amen
