There is a lot of turmoil in the world today and much of it comes from misunderstandings. There are many people who have troubled hearts and feel that malice against others will ease their pain. Many feel if their lives are not what they want it to be then their mission in life is to give as much grief to others that are happier with their lifestyle and material possessions.
We need to remember what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:32; “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
I once read a story about a man who was volunteering at a church. His job was to keep up the grounds and vegetable garden. This man was in his 80’s but his work ethic was beyond many young people and he took pride in what he was doing.
One day a group of young teen age boys spotted the old man going about his work. They harassed him and taunted him as he was watering his plants. He offered them a drink of water from the hose but they threw him to the ground, stole his wallet, and his retirement watch that he earned for many years of hard work with his company. The boys left him lying on the ground getting wet from the swirling water hose he was using.
Several weeks later the older gentleman was at his work again watering the garden when the young men appeared again. Again the older man offered them a drink of water from the hose but the boys took the hose from him and soaked him with water. They didn’t hurt him or knock him down just left him in his wet clothes.
Several months later as the man was working on the grounds he was approached by the leader of those three boys that has accosted him. The young man returned to the older man his retirement watch and wallet, which had nothing missing from it. When questioned about his actions the young man told of his earlier actions when he knocked the man down and soaked him with the water hose. He said the older man always offered him a drink of water and showed kindness to him. He stated that he had overcome his troubled ways and now wanted to do what was right. After the older gentlemen went to be with the Lord the church once again asked for a volunteer to care for the grounds and garden. The young boy answered the call, got the job, and later finished school, got married and started a family.
Kindness from one person turned the life of a young boy from one of evil to a life of fulfillment by being a productive citizen. There are so many people in the world today just as this young man was. They are hurting, have no direction in life, and lean to the evil side of life. If we as Christians would show kindness to everyone around us, even those that have hurt us, this world would become a better place for all of us.
