I encourage you to take 90 seconds to read this story. The story is not my own. It is one I received from a member of our local church several months ago, and I'd like to share it with you. I thought it well illustrated the ‘power’ of kindness. (A characteristic all Christians should exercise daily!) Whoever the author is, I hope he/she won’t mind the few editorial tweaks I made! They were made in love. The story came back to my fore mind last week – and after prayerful consideration, I feel today is the right day to share it with you, dear reader. It will give you time to settle your brain, gather your thoughts, calm your spirit, and help you to go into the Labor Day weekend in the right frame of mind. [Don’t forget to read God’s Word before you get too busy with cookouts, last minute swimming pool time, and the routine business of life]. One final clarification: Reader, you also understand that God the Father is, was, and always will be on His thrown in Heaven – this story is an illustration – not a literal definition of WHO or ALL that He is!)
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word…
As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever..
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the aged man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
I thought that story was a beautiful representation of the power of touch, the influence of compassion, the warmth of a smile, the kindness of the spoken word. Too often we underestimate our ability – the power - of a touch, a smile, the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally! (Life Moment: Kindness, consideration, thoughtful acts, and caring gestures do NOT replace or supersede the spirit of God on any level. Rather, those things ADD to the character of the Christian).
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word…
As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever..
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the aged man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
I thought that story was a beautiful representation of the power of touch, the influence of compassion, the warmth of a smile, the kindness of the spoken word. Too often we underestimate our ability – the power - of a touch, a smile, the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally! (Life Moment: Kindness, consideration, thoughtful acts, and caring gestures do NOT replace or supersede the spirit of God on any level. Rather, those things ADD to the character of the Christian).
Be a blessing to someone today. Make a deliberate decision toward kindness. Show humanity for others. Choose to be friendly. You CAN make a difference with God’s help! And have lunch with God.......bring the chips!
Look UP my friends!
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