Thrive & FlourishSample

Choose Empowerment

Today, I am making a long journey back home. As I battle through the airport's thick crowds,  wedged in by people on all sides, I am reminded that in this sea of humanity, God knows every thought, every feeling, every experience, and then it happens…I see a mother struggling with bags and two young children who seem totally overwhelmed and frightened by the sea of faces surrounding them. Nobody is giving them space or helping them as they struggle to get through the ticket barriers and make their way across the rush of people coming towards them. You can imagine how frightening this chaos might seem to them. 

Yet, here I am. I have a long journey to make, flights to catch and a tight timeframe, but I thought, What if I stop and help to give this mother and her children space by putting myself in between them and the crowds, letting them move ahead, and helping them navigate the constant rush of people who seem to have total disregard for their plight. What if I stopped and showed them that I cared? How might they feel? What would that do for them? How wonderful it is that a simple act of kindness can touch someone’s life with love and empower them to move forwards themselves! 

So, leading the way and ensuring that the smaller child did not get lost, I march them across the paths of many disgruntled people. I was determined to help enable this family to get to the next part of their journey. Then, as she thanked me, I realized this is the way God is with us, leading us, guiding us, shielding us, shepherding us, walking with us, empowering us to move forwards on the next step of our great journeys, and emboldening us to walk with Him despite the voices that rail against us. So amazing! 

Prayer: Thank you that my simple acts of kindness really can help to empower others rather than merely rescuing them. Thank you that being your follower, and modeling your ways, is both liberating and empowering. Thank you for empowering me to create a multitude of positive changes in the world.