the Power of little kindnesses

“Kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light. You'll never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference for another today.”

― Amy Leigh Mercree

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it is the small things that count

at times we think our life will be measured by great accomplishments

by books written

by our professional brilliance (as if)

but whom do I remember?

who have been the people who provided me with enough light

to keep walking

keep moving

who have kept me from self-destruction

the saints of consistent, persistent kindness

Pansy Lewis, my dad’s receptionist

who made it clear I was “her boy”

and who did so many little acts of kindness

and nurtured me into adulthood

Steve Hayner, the laughing man (now dying of cancer

whose door was always open, and who always listened

who was never “too important” although in later years he was important

(President of Inter-Varsity, now President of Columbia Seminary)

Donna Fuhrman, with her generous heart (and Lowell too)

countless church members who sat through good sermons

and bad sermons, and patiently let me make a holy fool of myself

my children, whom, when I had been cranky and unreasonable

still insisted I was a “great dad”

sisters, who have always been there for their

“bratty little brother”

it has not been the big gestures that have lighted the way through

a rather chaotic life

it has been the genuine smiles, the offered cups of coffee

the warm welcome (when I have been gone)

Lord thank you for the small acts of kindness

Which have woven their way around my fearful heart

and given me comfort

This day, may I be one who through a word, a smile

Through caring presence

Change someone’s darkness

Into light