Kindness All Around

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
1 Timothy 6:18

We've all heard of random acts of kindness, those thoughtful gestures meant to brighten someone's day.  It is my belief that there is nothing random about these good deeds.  There is a reason people enter our lives, however briefly.  It may be to encourage or inspire us--or just to make us smile.  Kindness comes in many forms.  Read on for some of the ways Paige's spirits have been lifted as of late:

Greeting at the Grocery Store.  Paige, Jeremy, and I made a quick stop at our local HEB for a few items.  As we were leaving, we noticed an older gentleman smiling at Paige as she wheeled our cart back to its home.  He approached her and asked if she had cancer, specifically leukemia.  As we talked to him about her remission and chemo treatments, he shared that he was also diagnosed with leukemia--in 1985.  He wanted to share a message of hope and encourage her to keep fighting.  Nothing random there.

Best Regards at a Recognition Ceremony.  Boyce, Jeremy, and I escorted Paige to the Do the Write Thing recognition ceremony, celebrating her second writing award this year.  Not only was she approached and later publicly recognized by the county judge, several of the other finalists and their parents wished her well and offered prayers for her.  One of the attendees, a grandfather-type, told us the story of his friend's son, who is a long-term survivor of leukemia.  He spoke of the importance of faith and hope, and we shared the amazing work God is doing in our lives.  Random?  I don't think so!

Kindness at the Coffee Shop.  Paige has had the cost of her drink and/or snack covered on more than one occasion--at different locations.  One of the baristas told me she wanted to cover Paige's drink because she wanted to put a smile on her face.  It worked!

Good Deed at Dinnertime.  We decided to celebrate the academic achievements of both kiddos--and Paige's current 'feeling good' status--with a sit-down meal at a restaurant.  It was the first time we had been able to do this in months.  As we prepared to pay our bill, we were told our family's meal had been taken care of by another diner, someone who wished to remain anonymous.  Overwhelmed and very humbled, we said prayers of thanks as we headed home.

Letters from Little Ones.  Paige recently received a package chock full of cards made by students from her former elementary school.  She made sure to read every single one of them and was really touched at the messages written by kiddos who have never met her--but who have heard her story and have seen pictures of her (as evidenced by their precious writings)!

Kindness does come in many forms, but no matter the shape taken, these acts are in no way random.  It's simply people following God's Word and being 'kind to one another.'  These things always seem to come right when they are needed, which is no coincidence.  God's timing never ceases to amaze me!