Looking for the One Who Needs Kindness

Forty-five minutes at the post office was not in anyone’s schedule. The line was long, and the grumbling was understandable. When it was my turn, I thanked Karen for being so gracious despite being short of help for the day. She dropped her eyes and quietly said, “They’re yelling at me.”

A few days later, my wife and I walked through a farmers market in downtown Minneapolis and noticed a stand with beautiful bouquets. We thought about who we could bring flowers to on a Saturday morning. We talked about our friends and family, and then we thought of Karen. We remembered the look on her face.

Soon we were back at the post office and noticed another long line. We quietly asked someone at the front of the line if we could have just a moment to present the flowers and received their blessing.

My wife gave Karen the flowers and thanked her for being so gracious on a day when people were treating her so poorly. As Karen cried, the atmosphere shifted. A young mom stepped up and shared that she had noticed Karen’s kindness. A young man declared to everyone

in line that we needed more moments like this. We needed to look for the best in each other.

Karen’s co-workers gathered around. One of them held her hands. I’ve thought a lot about how the atmosphere changed in the post office that day. Today’s culture is increasingly angry. There are forces at work attempting to divide and destroy. The moment there was an act of kindness, people in line responded with compassion and empathy.

When I returned to the post office a few days later, the bouquet was still on Karen’s desk. But now, there were bouquets at every desk.

Do not underestimate the power of kindness. It changes hearts because it reflects the heart of Jesus. To share the kindness of Jesus means you are seeing others through his eyes. That is why you notice things others don’t. It’s why people ask, “How did you know?” Here is the secret: the only way to see people through the eyes of Jesus is to walk with Jesus.

Jesus, my life is not about me. What a joy to give my life to you and begin to see people like you see them. Instead of murmuring about the lack of kindness around me, show me specific ways to extend kindness. Help me know the language of love for people I hardly know. When I drift into a critical spirit, please remind me of your kindness to me.

This plan contains material from Looking for the Oneby David McIver.