I have recently taken on an unexpected challenge from a friend who has made it her mission to do nice things for others. As unintentional as it may have been, her vision impacted me in an unexpected way. She decided that for the 40 days leading up to her 40th birthday she would do a random act of kindness each day and invited others to do the same.
In my quest for doing more for strangers, I had a feeling that this would become more than I could have imagined as I personally committed to dive into this. I know for me, I can manage a little less focus on me, and a lot more time investing in others. After all, Philippians 2: 3 & 4 says “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” How well have I been living this? How well have you?
So my first experience was at a drive through. I paid for the young man behind me who had kindly let me drive in front of him to order and pay for that desperately needed cup of morning coffee. What stunned me was the unforeseen impact it had on the cashier. Her reaction altered my way of thinking. Now let me tell you, random acts of kindness are not new to me, but this impromptu purchase made me think about how our actions can have a rippling affect that we’ll never get to observe. I thought I was doing it for the kind guy in the truck, but now I had to consider this sweet girl too.
I had to wonder how this young girl’s day began and what about the young man in the truck who’s breakfast I bought? Do they know God, do they love Him? Do they think the world around them is a good and kind place, or do they know the uglier side of life? For the curious side of me, not knowing the answers normally would make me crazy, but after many emotions resulting from this experience I was left feeling like I wanted more. I want to do more good as Christ would do and as He would want me to.
Hebrews 13:16 reminds me “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”.
The real truth of this story is, regardless of the unknown impact realized on these other lives, the impact on mine was immeasurable, and forever changed me.
