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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Something That Costs Nothing At All




There's something that is really fun to do and doesn't cost a dime. That something is being kind and also being kind "incognito".

I've been thinking recently on kindness. You know the feeling you have when someone speaks sharply or unkindly to you. You feel like your spirit sinks or wilts. Kind words, of course,  have the opposite effect.

It's so easy to be kind. Thoughtfulness and kindness go hand in hand. Kindness and compassion are also kindred spirits.

It's easy to be critical. But kindness takes the high road. I've had to learn this lesson over and over again, I'm afraid.

Kindness means having a friendly or generous nature. It means showing goodness or sympathy. Our kind words hold life.

I especially enjoy the whole aspect of random acts of kindness. Two or three years ago, I pulled up to a grocery store and watched an elderly lady walk slowly into the grocery store. I encountered her later in the produce section. She smiled so warmly at me and my little boy. She radiated kindness. Since I remembered what car she was in, I wrote a short note to her and stuck it on her windshield. I just wanted to tell her what a lovely smile she had and that she had blessed my day. I didn't know her and didn't sign my name, but hoped that it helped her to know that her kindness mattered.

The only reason I share this example is that it didn't cost me anything other than a few minutes of time and I smiled all the way home.

I read a most wonderful story on the blog  www.theletteredcottage.net  last week and had Layla's permission to share it here with you.

A few years ago, my mom and I took a road trip together. We drove several thousand miles from start to finish, and we had lots of great conversations along the way. We visited family in Minnesota, and stayed at Camp Wandawega in Wisconsin on the way back home. I’ll cherish those memories forever! Even the little tiny one that springs right to the front of my mind every time I think about that trip. It doesn’t have anything to do with where we stayed, or who we visited. It’s not one that I could’ve planned, and like the fishing friends, I didn’t even see it coming until I was right there experiencing it.
I can’t remember what state we were in, but my Mom and I were seated at a table near the ‘Pay Here’ counter at KFC. I could see the register over my Mom’s shoulder. We were talking about who-knows-what, when out of the corner of my ear, I tuned in to a conversation between the cashier and a satisfied customer.
The cashier was a sweet little thing, maybe in her late-60s or so.
The customer looked like he was in his 40s, and I remember thinking he looked like a hard-workin’ man.
The customer told the cashier that he just had to come back up and tell her how much he enjoyed his meal. “It was just absolutely delicious, and you guys outdid yourselves today!“, he raved.
The cashier beamed from ear to ear as she reached for his tray and told him she was so glad he enjoyed it.
Like moisture when it’s humid, I could literally feel happiness in the air right then. I fought hard to not get up and hug ‘em both- ha! (Note: I do not always win the battle against the bear hug.)
My eyes welled up as they went about their ways, and I loved sharing with my Mom what had just happened over her shoulder.
Funny how hearing somebody say something nice to someone else can not only make their day, but it can also make your day, too. :)

Isn't that a beautiful story? I love that! Just a few kind words made that cashier's day.

What can you do today to make someone else's day a little brighter?

 And always remember this..."Then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:4.

"Remember there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple." Scott Adams

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless." Mother Theresa

*Story shared above from www.theletteredcottage.net

Linking up to:  savvysouthernstyle.net       impartinggrace.com  frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

5 comments:

  1. Wonderful story--and what a great point you make, Kathy! I need to remember that small acts of kindness really do add to up to great things!

    Thank you so much for joining Grace at Home! :)

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  2. I'm visiting from Grace at Home. I thank you for this good reminder that even the little things we do can affect others. :)

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  3. Kathy,

    I have lurked around your blog for a while and appreciate your writings. Today I stopped in our local $1 store and sweetest lady checked me out at the register...like she really cared about every single customer, speaking to each one she encounered. Normally I would quietly notice and not say anything but today I was prompted by the Lord to tell her how much that meant to me. I am so glad I was obedient because we were both able to receive blessings for it. It's true...we need to let people know that we appreciate their kindness.

    Have a blessed weekend!

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    1. Thank you Debby, for your sweet note. I'm so glad you told her! Have a blessed day:)

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