Kindness

"And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."  Matt. 10:42

Today, November 13, is World Kindness Day. Considering I've traveled the world pretty extensively in my life, I think I might have some qualifications to comment on world kindness. I have seen a lot of it, in all sorts of places around the world. I'll bet you've seen a lot of kindness as well, even if you've lived in one small community all your life. It doesn't take seeing the world to appreciate the miracle of one person showing kindness to another. I considered sharing a "tour of kindness stories" that I've witnessed, but such a delightful one came to my attention yesterday, that I suspect you'll enjoy hearing about it.

Mrs. University President, to whom I'll refer as Pam, was down in the administration lobby breaking out the Christmas decor on Friday morning. With Thanksgiving break and the subsequent festivities looming, she wanted to get this task done before the onslaught of the season. As she was wrapping the banister in greenery and ribbon she heard a student on the next level talking on her phone.

"I don't know what to do!" the student wailed. "I have a test, and the babysitter wasn't there when I went by! I can't miss my test, and I can't take a two-year old in!" She was clearly distraught.

Pam popped up the stairs, quick as a wink, and in her characteristically cheery voice she offered, "I can help you! I can look after her while you take your test. Don't you worry."

At that moment Sylvia, the student's teacher, rounded the corner. "The student clearly didn't know who this lady was," she told me. "When I told her this was the president's wife, her eyes got this big!"

And that's why, when I happened to glance down our hall later on, I spied Pam with a 2-year-old in a baby stroller, chatting happily to the child as she broke out the holly and the ivy, so to speak, in our waiting area. Downstairs there was one much-relieved young mom taking her exam and knowing her kiddo was in kind-hearted, trustworthy hands.

Happy World Kindness Day!  Keep your eyes and ears open; you may have a chance to celebrate.