Pass It On

The Facebook post came entitled “Video that will change your life. I have no words left.” and skeptical me said mentally in a sarcastic voice, “Right. (pause) Who sent it? How long is it?”  4:36 is a bit longer than I will usually bite on, and it’s an ambitious title, but I clicked.

Utterly worth it. It touched me deeply to the point of tears. I’m not sure why. I think the producers of this “see an act of kindness, pass it on” (my title) video never intended to make people cry; I have word that I’m not the only one.

Seeing people make tiny gestures for the good of others reminds me of the Faith at Work legend (based on fact) of a Lady Crowley level Christian woman who routinely wiped down the sink counters in public restrooms whenever she used them. (This is truly such an old story that it required the shift from Lumunos to the previous name.)

I routinely witness my wife, Laurel, studying over the pot-luck offerings to decide if she will really need a knife. Most times she doesn’t need one so she doesn’t take one (nor a spoon on some occasions). That’s a tiny gesture but it adds up. I know. I am the guy in charge of the coffee cup washing project at church.

I can visualize riding with my colleague, Pat, many years ago. When we approached a red light he maneuvered to the passing lane, instead of the curb lane, because we were the first car. I have done the same thing many times in the decades since, for the same reason he told me. “The person behind us might want to turn right on red, and there’s no reason for me to be sitting in his way when I can avoid it.

This is how I want our world to be for all of us. I think each of the examples I mentioned are profoundly Christian acts.

In the video when a kindness is extended there is always an obvious witness who commits the next act of kindness. In life it isn’t always so. Except that we know. I don’t believe God keeps a scorecard; but I am quite certain when we extend a kindness it pleases God.