Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 18 – No. 2616 June 25, 2016
Thought for the week: "Pursue success like you ride a bicycle remembering you won't fall off unless you stop peddling." – Michael Josephson
In a certain home town there lived a cobbler, Martin Avdeitch by name. He lived in a small basement room whose one window looked out onto the street, and all he could see were the feet of people passing by. But since there was hardly a pair of boots that had not been in his hands at one time for repair, Martin recognized each person by his shoes. Day after day, he would work in his shop, watching boots pass by. One day he found himself consumed with the hope of a dream that he would find the Lord's feet outside his window. Instead, he found a lingering pair of worn boots belonging to an old soldier. Though at first disappointed, Martin realized the old man might be hungry and invited him inside to a warm fire and some tea. He had other visitors that evening, and though sadly none were Christ, he let them in also.
Sitting down at the end of day, Martin heard a voice whisper his name as he read the words: "I was hungry and you gave me meat; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in. Inasmuch as you did for the least of these, you did unto me."1
1. Story told in Leo Tolstoy's, Walk in the Light While There Is Light and Twenty-three Tales (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003).
Reported to have been taken from papers written by a class of eight-year-olds.
Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other peoples.
A grandfather is a man grandmother.
Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.
When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on cracks.
They don't say, "Hurry up."
They wear glasses and funny underwear.
They can take their teeth and gums out.
Grandparents have to be smart. They have to answer questions like, "Why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?"
When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.
They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
A six-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."
"This man has something special to show you," a man told his son on their visit to the mining town.
The young boy looked at the man. He didn't look anything special. Just a rough-looking character in working clothes carrying a hessian bag. However, father and son followed him into his hut and watched him take from a hiding place a small tobacco tine which he carefully opened. Removing some tissue paper he held it out to reveal a splendid opal.
Even in the half-light of the hut the glorious color of the large gem stone glowed in rich beauty. It was a wonderful opal and the pair gazed at it in amazement. Then the man carefully wrapped it up and put it away in its hiding place.
Some of us have been given glorious gifts which God wants us to share with others. Sometimes through fear or unbelief we hide our gifts and so hold back from enriching both our own and the lives of other people.
If you were arrested for kindness, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Some people cheer up a room by entering it, others by leaving it.
What do you bring to your interactions with workmates, friends, and family? Is it encouragement, optimism, or kind words? Or is it pessimism, criticism, or cynicism?
People often forget what we say and usually what we do, but as Maya Angelou said, "They always remember how we made them feel."
Here are some other wise words about kindness:
"Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away." – Sir Arthur Helps
"You will regret many things in life, but you will never regret being too kind or too fair." – Brian Tracy
"Don't wait for people to be kind. Show them how." – Anonymous
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." – Oscar Wilde
"That best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." – William Wordsworth
"Kindness is loving people more than they deserve." – Joseph Joubert
"We are made kind by being kind." – Eric Hoffer
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." – Benjamin Franklin
"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Robert Faughum suggested, "Think of what a better world it would be if all of us—the whole world—had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon, and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation, and other nations, always to put things back where we found them, and cleaned up our own messes.
"And it's still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it's best to hold hands and stick together."
I had a dear friend whom I met in kindergarten. We went through school and technical college together. We'd been through national service together, and, though for many years we lived thousands of miles apart, we never lost contact. Not so long ago my friend fell on hard times, became discouraged and depressed and, instead of reaching out for help, withdrew into himself and took his life. A tragic waste. How sad it is when, in our hour of need, as adults, we forget to hold hands.
We all have areas of weaknesses so we all need the support of a few friends with whom we feel safe, who won't judge, condemn or reject us, and will love and accept us as we are. None of us can make it on our own. We were created for relationships. We all need each other. Even Jesus, at the start of his ministry on earth, chose "the twelve" disciples that they might be with him. How much more do we need friends who will be with us?
One reason we fall is because we try to make it on our own. God never meant for us to go it alone. We all need each other for support, and as long as we admit our needs, confess our areas of weaknesses, and keep holding hands, we're not likely to fall because we help hold each other up.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."1
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a few friends who know me as I am and love me still—friends with whom I can share openly and honestly, laugh, cry, work, play and serve You, and friends who will hold me up when I feel too down to be able to stand up on my own. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV).
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Books by Dick Innes, Editor of Weekend Encounter You Can't Fly With a Broken Wing How to Mend a Broken Heart I Hate Witnessing—A Handbook for Effective Christian
Communications
Healing, Wholeness & Happiness by Dick Innes
Loving & Understanding People by Dick Innes
I Hate Witnessing by Dick Innes
God's Formula for Success by Dick Innes
Damaged Emotions by David Seamands
Healing of the Memories by David Seamands
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