Simple act, profound affect

Two 7 year old girls, who lost their mother a few years back, live near our home. Their father is a drunkard and it is their brother, who is 15 years old works and provides for the family. These girls come twice a day to our house to pick the extra food. My wife and I always feel pity for these kids and always feel good when we share our food with them. Actually we don’t cook anything extra for them, but only give them the remains. We are happy every time we see the smile in their faces.

Though no sacrifice is involved in sharing our food with these kids, sharing and giving always brought joy within us. One day, I saw that there were three Five Star bars lying in the fridge and immediately I wanted to give those chocolates to those girls. When I told about this to my wife, she was more than willing to give them. And she took the chocolates with her and gave it to those girls. It was so good to know the happiness that the chocolate bars brought in them which have had radiated in their faces.

But we were to witness an overwhelming surprise!

The very same day in the evening they brought two sweets made of wheat each of which were in the shape of dosa (a south Indian dish) one for my wife and one for me. When I came home my wife gave me that sweet and it was delicious. The girls had made those sweets all by themselves specially for us!

How thoughtful they were! We were put to shame. Never ever we prepared anything specially for them. We never thought about the quantity of the food that we were giving them, whether it would be sufficient for the entire family. But they prepared a dish specially for us and gave sufficient amount for both of us, individually. Every time when we receive food from the mess and take it home, we could see them on the way, eagerly watching us with expectations. We never expected anything from them. We never gave a special thought to fulfil their expectations; but they had given a special thought. We never thought about their exact need or desire; but they understood our exact need (as they counted out two numbers of that sweet) and gave us that we would like.

Even as I was thinking about this simple but profound act of those girls, they grew bigger in my mind. I learnt a big truth that day “Kindness is contagious”.

How many people pass through our lives each day. Do we give careful attention to them? Yes, we do, but to criticize them. But do we see into their lives to see their needs, their desires, their expectations, their dreams, their struggles, their challenges? A simple smile, a note of appreciation, a pat on the shoulder, a concerned prayerful email or a phone call – could make a big difference in a persons life.

Talk to that person whom you see almost everyday, but have never spoken; ask the milkman about his family; enquire about your watchman/security guards health; send a Thank You email to people who have helped you in time of need; call and speak to your old friend who was there for you; gift a toy to a poor child in your neighbourhood; take the old man/woman whom you see everyday on your way to office in your vehicle and drop him/her at their destination. And keep your eyes, ears and hands open to others in need.

“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23 (ESV)

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.  ~Author Unknown

A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.  ~Charles H. Spurgeon

Remove hatred, Practice kindness!