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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
God and Kindness
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness. . .”
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
Our lives have been hectic lately. We got our living room painted and new carpet installed. In the middle of all this our son called. The moving van was going to be there to gather his belongings and furniture on Friday—not inside a four-day window that began on Saturday. We were in a dither. Our son’s inspection of the apartment he was vacating was scheduled for Wednesday; we had motel reservations made in the town he is moving to starting Wednesday. I called a close friend, explained the situation, and asked for prayer. I e-mailed some of my blogging friends—again telling what was transpiring. And adding that I just wanted to go somewhere and cry.
Saturday morning, I was surprisingly rested. My close friend picked me up and we went to Craft Club at church and made Easter bonnets. It worked out that each of us could make our own and another one to be sold and the funds go for our youth group. I needed that break and what another friend calls, “ME Time.”
Late Monday morning, I had to go to the neighborhood grocery and pick up a few things. I thought I had enough money. I approached the check out. The cashier scanned the items and told me the amount of my purchase. I thought I had a five dollar bill and enough ones to cover the transaction. But, I didn’t; I had changed coats and the five was in the pocket of my winter coat. I started counting coins—quarters, dimes, nickels and, yes, pennies. Behind me stood a man wearing a shirt with the logo of our local dairy on it. I was down to being a bit over a dollar short. I told the cashier I could go home and get the rest, if she could hold the items there for me. The man spoke up and asked how much I was short. She told him. He volunteered to cover what I was short. I thanked him for his kindness. I had never had this happen for me.
As I write this, I realize that this is Holy Week and Jesus went to the cross to cover our sins before God. Ultimately, this was a kindness for all of mankind.
One of the uncles of a young Cancer patient told recently of a fund-raiser that was held for the little girl. “People from church came, people from our family came, people we didn’t even know came!” When people go through times of distress and upheaval, God’s kindness shows as others step up and assist those in need.
With my plans for this week, I had made arrangements to get my food donations for the Easter breakfast to the church on the day before we were to leave. When those plans changed, I asked at a meeting if someone could get the items I had promised to bring. My closest friend said she could do that for me. I gave her the money and the list. All those who know me know what my life has been like these past few days. And they understand. People understanding what another person goes through offer a form of God’s kindness that is very special.
How do you see God’s kindness in your life or the life of someone around you?
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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