Unseen Goodness

January 25, 2018

It doesn’t take any effort and no brains to point out all the problems and evil in the world around us. Network news keeps it in our faces every day, television and movies capitalize on it. Acts of kindness don’t produce ratings, but they can go a long way towards improving our attitude towards life while they actually improve life for others. It doesn’t even take much.

An elderly woman in our church had surgery on her knee. It’s a long story, but it’s likely she’ll not walk again. She didn’t receive good news today, but she did receive care from our pastor, love and prayers from many of our people. She is surrounded by people who cannot change her circumstances, but who can and do love her. A young woman from our church had brain surgery last week. In addition to the visits and prayers, her Christian friends stayed with her, cared for her children, brought dinners to her home.

At our Park church and its offshoot The Samaritan House, and at the Dunkirk church I now serve, people show up weekly to distribute food, clothing, and household items to people in need. Countless hours are given by volunteers who not only distribute what people have collected, but do so in a way that honors the dignity of the recipients. Our people serve as volunteer firefighters and elementary school helpers, and are often ready to lend a hand or simply a listening ear to someone going through a difficult time.

I am thankful tonight for all the small deeds of kindness I see every day. Yes, the world is full of problems, but it is also filled with kindness, grace, goodness, beauty, and love. You just need the determination to look for it, and faith to see it when it’s right before your eyes.