I have not been able to get the veteran whom we ministered to last week off my mind.
While I know he is eating well, no longer hungry, I also know there was something that touched him even more than the food supplies. It was a human touch.
When I reached for his hand to pray, something broke. I took his hand in mine and placed my other hand over his. As I did this, he began to weep. Not shed a few tears, weep uncontrollably.
In that moment I knew there was something he was lacking even more than food. It was the human touch. The caring of another human being.
I shared the story of the veteran with you, but that is not a rare event for Breanne & I or this ministry. This is a lifestyle for us. We often come across people who don’t have enough to pay for their groceries. Or people who need food. Or people who have hit a rough spot and we sow into their lives. As I thought on all this today, I realized something.
In this fast-paced, social media world we live in, the human touch is becoming less and less available.
We text instead of talk. We meet on facebook instead of meeting for dinner. Personally, I don’t’ think this is a good way to go. We need each other. We need connections and interaction.
Yes, people need money. Yes, they need food. They need to pay their bills. However, I think even more than that they need to know someone cares. A simple act of kindness. A human touch.
Proverbs 16:24 says; Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (NLT)
It only takes a moment to speak a word of kindness to someone. It costs us nothing. It brings healing to a wounded soul.
Taking the time to show someone we care, especially a stranger, can change their life. It can be the reason they can hope again. It may be the very thing they need to get back up and try one more time. Your words of kindness have great power. Your acts of kindness can heal a wounded soul.
Colossians 3:12 says; Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Hebrews 6:10 says; For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
When we show genuine acts of kindness, God is glorified. To me, that’s the best part of all. His light shines through us during these times. All true hope is in Him and if we can point others to Him, that’s the greatest thing we can do for them.
I read a scripture in Acts 28:2 that caught my attention today. It says; And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
Today I want to challenge you to begin to show unusual acts of kindness to those that God leads across your path. Speak kinds words. But not only that, show them you care. Give them a hug, or a handshake. Look them in the eye and listen, really listen to their heart. In doing so, you are allowing God’s light to shine through you. His love is shining through you in every act of kindness. So…go ahead…let your light shine!
Meditate on this:
Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
