Kindness Lasts Longer Than You Think

For more than 2 years now, I have met my friend Wendy for bible study every Tuesday morning at 7:00 am.  We meet at a Panera and I order the same thing every week.  2 pieces of sourdough toast and a large unsweet tea.

As you can imagine, when you frequent a place like Panera on a regular basis, you get to know the staff and they get to know you.  I pretty much feel like Norm from cheers when I walk into the store, you know "where everyone knows your name."

One Tuesday about 6 months ago, the gal that was taking my order asked to share a story with me.

She asked me if I remembered her.  I apologized and said I didn’t.  She went on to share her story.

8 years ago Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Due to her chemotherapy, her hair began to fall out and she didn’t know what to do.  Her neighbors Gwen and Tonia were good friends of mine and Michaels and they called us to make us aware of the situation and to see if there was anything that we could do to help her. That afternoon Michael and I went to her house to shave her head.  She explained to me that she had never forgotten the kindness that we extended to her that day.  She shared that she couldn’t believe what we were willing to do for a perfect stranger.

As I stood there and listened my eyes welled with tears.  I asked Jo if I could give her a hug and thanked her for sharing her story.

How many times do you do kind things just to do something for someone, expecting nothing in return?

Just like Ephesians 4:32 says;

 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

We as a society need to be kinder and more compassionate.

The simple act of kindness of a smile, a hug, buying someone a cup of coffee, or shaving the head of a woman going through cancer treatment, can last longer than you think.