Crucial Gesture
Theme of the Week: Kindness: Mini-Investment, Mega-Payback
Randy Alcorn
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: What I want is for you to receive a well-earned reward because of your kindness (Philippians 4:17). Bonus Reading:
Galatians 5:16-26
Walking home from junior high, Mark saw the boy ahead of him trip, dropping all his books, two sweaters, a baseball glove, and other odds and ends. Mark helped pick up the scattered items. Since they were going the same way, he helped carry some of the stuff.
As they walked, Mark learned that the boy's name was Bill and that he loved video games, baseball, and history, but was having trouble with his other subjects and had just broken up with his girlfriend. They arrived at Bill's home first, and Bill invited Mark in for a Coke, and to watch some tv. They passed the afternoon with small talk.
Moving on into high school, the two occasionally ate lunch together. Then three weeks before graduation, Bill reminded Mark of the day they met. "Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home?" he asked. "I'd cleaned out my locker so I wouldn't leave a mess behind. I'd stashed away some of my mom's sleeping pills and was going to commit suicide. But after we spent time together, I realized that if I killed myself, I'd miss any more pleasant times like that. So when you picked up those books, Mark, you saved my life!"
—Randy Alcorn in In Light of Eternity
My Response: A gratifying response to a kindness I extended was …
Thought to Apply: You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. —RALPH WALDO EMERSON (poet, essayist)
Adapted from In Light of Eternity (WaterBrook, 1999) by permission.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Fill me with Your Spirit, Lord, so that Your love will overflow to others in thoughtful actions.
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