The Kindness of a Stranger

I was pleasantly surprised today when the brother of a friend stepped in to help fix my sprinklers. I was a stranger to him and he to me, but when his sister called to tell him that a friend of hers could use his help, he jumped right in. Amazing! The body of Christ in action. Why am I so flabbergasted by this? Why did I half expect him not to show up today or follow through? Experience. Experience has taught me that I cannot always count on the kindness of a stranger, or even someone who is not a stranger. Unfortunately, we do not always look out for each other, love each other, and share each others burdens. We all have struggles, we all have our own stuff, and only so much time. Being "not quite single" puts you in an awkward position. When is it okay to ask for help, and when do you just suck it up and do the best you can solo? Why should someone help you when they have their own families to take care of?  As I struggle with these questions I realize that I need to be the person I want others to be to me. I want others to see some of my struggles as a "not quite single" person and volunteer to step in and be a blessing. So I ask God, where are others struggling, and are there things I can do to be a blessing to them? Isn't that what the family of God is all about, living life together, sharing burdens, encouraging, and building one another up? I was saddened to think that the kindness of this stranger was an uncommon occurrence. It shouldn't be that way, we are blessed to be a blessing.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. -Matthew 7:12 Be the change you want to see in the world. -Mahatma Gandhi