to one another.
Ephesians 4:32
I was struck this week by undeserved kindness. It was during the snow storm—you know, the one that left everyone on the roads for 8 plus hours. It was also the perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances that left me stranded on the road.
The Story Brief:
> My car was not fit for the snow, and I waited too long to drive home.
> My phone died, just as I told my husband, Josh, I was going to try to walk home.
> Oh yeah...and I'm 9 months pregnant.
> Home was too far to walk to without freezing, and I hadn't worn very warm clothing.
> My house key was, well, accidentally left in the house anyway.
> My garage door opener is installed in the car, which was stuck on the road.
> I walked back to my car to wait for Josh, in hopes that he could come get me.
> For 3 hours I waited, not realizing how affected the entire city was at this point.
I finally realized that I would need to go knock on a stranger's door for help—why this was so difficult for me to do, I can't quite be sure. But I did it, and was about to be surprised by strangers in the best way.
The kindest young family with a new baby opened their home to me, saying they had been watching my car and wondering if I needed help. When they saw that I was expecting, and pretty far along, they immediately invited me inside. They offered me a warm drink and dinner that they had just made, a warm place to sit at their table and let me charge my phone so I could call Josh and reassure him I was ok.
While I warmed up inside, they tried to put chains on my car—without success—but ended up chaining up their own car instead to brave the roads and take me to my sister-in-law's house nearby. As an added blessing, we exchanged phone numbers for future play dates with our new babies!
It was the most simple act of kindness that reached my heart deeply:
Caring for someone in need.
Suddenly, I had become someone who was scared, in need of warmth, who was honestly very hungry (hello...eating for two), and who was worried about what would happen next. I was also extremely humbled and grateful to realize that it is not often that I am without these basic provisions in life.
The kindness of strangers was one of the greatest gifts I could receive, especially during a season where so much of our Christmas is cluttered by advertisements, stuff and more stuff.
My heart was reminded that there is a world of people around me that simply long to be shown compassion and kindness. There is a world of hopeless people that have lost so much faith in the kindness of humanity.
There is a world of people that long to know a love like that of Jesus, Emmanuel, God Among Us.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, and let the richness of Christ's love dwell deeply in your heart this season!
Jamie
jrobison@b4church.org
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