Your kindness, other people's miracle

[InLight247]

In my 7th grader’s CCD class, we read and discussed about the miracle of 5L2F. And I talked about how the boy’s kindness of sharing his five loaves and two fishes was multiplied by Jesus and became a miracle for the five thousands. (John 6:1-15)
A key point here is one person’s kindness could become others’ miracle. So always be kind and do what you can to help.

I have a personal experience to share. Years ago, when I learned that our church was short of CCD teachers, my high school daughter and I volunteered to teach the kindergarten class.
Later, the faith formation director told us we were the answers to her prayer.

I need help on this forum for any example you can share.
Any experience you can think of that because of one person’s small kindness, it makes a difference in another’s life.

I like to tell my CCD students more true happenings, so this teaching of kindness may become more concrete, not just a saying or a theory.

Please kindly share. Thanks.

 

[InLight247]

Please just share some real experience that one person’s kindness made a difference in another perosn’s life.
I used the term “miracle” to in line with the 5L2F miracle.
It does not mean to be a miracle “miracle”.

I am looking forward to some real life experience so I may share them with my CCD students. That way the teaching can become more concrete.

Hopefully with so many forum memebers, somebody has the “making differece experience” to share, either on the giving or the receiving end.

God bless!

 

[Della]

To get you started, here are some examples from a thread I initiated about the kindness of strangers.

 

[InLight247]

Thanks!

 

[blessedstar]

I used to work with people who were terminally ill. I dealt with many things for them and always tried to be sensitive and compassionate to them and to their families. I didn’t see them as a case who I had to process, I saw them as God’s children and loved sharing stories, jokes and time and learning about their lives and what is and who are important to them. Most of them were very thankful to me and we enjoyed alot of laughter together and it got to the point that rather than deal with my colleagues they would ask specifically for me. (which didn’t make me popular with my colleagues.)

But they did me a greater kindness than I ever did for them. They taught me to love life and to live it in humility. Their thanks humbled me because I knew I wasn’t worthy of any thanks. The love between the family members magnified in suffering was a strong reminder to me to never take anyone for granted and to love with my whole heart all the time, not just when there is a crisis, such as terminal illness within a family. The joy of love between those people will stay with me forever and if I only ever live a little of that joy they had then I will be a happy person.

That job taught me the joy of serving others not just automatically like a job dictates, but to serve them from the heart. A little kindness to others is repaid a thousand fold. Whatever kindness we do for another, it does us good also in so many ways. Nothing can outdo the joy of service.

 

[InLight247]

…
The love between the family members magnified in suffering was a strong reminder to me to never take anyone for granted and to love with my whole heart all the time, not just when there is a crisis, such as terminal illness within a family.
…
Nothing can outdo the joy of service.

Thank you for your beautiful sharing, and thank you for your kindness to people who are terminally ill.

 

[BlestOne]

I have a neighbor who is a very intelligent guy, but a little socially backward. He recently went through RCIA and joined the parish. My husband agreed to be his stand in sponsor when his fiance left to go back home. When he was asked by the DRE, my husband willingly offered to help. Then we found out just who he would be sponsoring. I had previously called the police on this man at the request of his mother. She was living with her son and was, to put it nicely, a manipulative woman. She saw me outside one day and came over and asked me to call the police because her son was beating her. I made the call for her and waited with her for the police to come. Her son came over and tried to tell me she was crazy. I really didn’t know who to believe, but I would do the same for anyone. I don’t know what all happened but he didn’t go to jail or anything, but I was worried that he would remember that event and be angry still. Anyway, as I said, my husband was his sponsor and did it gladly. A few months later, I got a call from him out of the blue. He was going to the hospital for surgery and needed a ride home afterwards. I said I would do it. We had a nice conversation and I was glad I could help. Just about a week ago, he came over again and asked if my kids could help him paint his house. I said sure…my daughter needed service hours for school anyway. So I went over to his house to see what he needed and I was amazed at how nice he was fixing his house up. He is trying to get it prepared for his fiancee when she comes back so they can get married. I offered to redo his kitchen cabinets when he finds out how his fiance wants them done (painted or stained) since I am pretty good at furniture stripping and refinishing. We talked about what needed to be done and I told him we would be happy to help where we can. Then he asked me if I needed help fixing my garage windows…this has been the bane of my existence…not knowing how to fix rotted wood frame from concrete block wall. He said no problem. So we made a deal…we help each other out. What a concept! I never expected him to offer to help us! I guess I have been so warped by having bad neighbors in the past, I really avoided getting to know him. The kids had a blast and we are having a party of kids do painting this weekend to get it done faster. I will supervise the girls and cook a huge pot of Chilli and when they are done I just might feed them…waaaa haaaa!!! Even my son volunteered his hours to his sister…awwww how sweet to see them cooperating!!! That is something I never ever thought would happen. God, it must be a miracle!!!

 

[InLight247]

Last night during my Eucharist adoration, it came to my mind one incident happened to me when I was a little girl.

One morning, I went to school later than usual. The teacher was not there yet. As I entered the classroom, all the kids stared at me, and simultaneously put their index fingers over their lips. Back then in that school, it was an official gesture of friendship breakup if you put the index finger over lips. I was so shocked and had no clue why all of a sudden none of my classmates wanted to be my friend anymore. It was very hurtful to a seven-year old.

Nobody talked to me during recess. I got a collective silent treatment.
In the bath room, I ran into a girl who secretly explained to me the reason. And she promised to be my friend. The class was told by a bully girl that I was picked up from a garbage can by my parents. The bully told the class that I was a child no one wanted, therefore, deserved no one’s friendship.

I was not picked up from a garbage can. I was adopted. But my parents had not told me about my adoption at the time. That bully child heard about my adoption from her parents, and then turned around to retell it with a twisted notion.

That kind little girl who secretly spoke to me made a lasting impression in my heart.
Even today, when I recalled her kindness, I still feel grateful. And, yes, I still remember both girls’ names and how they looked like even after several decades.

When we think back our life, it is not possible we couldn’t recall some kind of kindness encountered, either offered or received. Other people’s kindness inspires our own. It can create a ripple effect.

Thanks for all your sharings so far.

Reflecting on the topic of kindness can rekindle the gratitude of heart. Please search your memory and kindly share.

 

[Joysong]

InLight247:

That kind little girl who secretly spoke to me made a lasting impression in my heart.
Even today, when I recalled her kindness, I still feel grateful. And, yes, I still remember both girls’ names and how they looked like even after several decades.

Your story reminded me of a very similar incident in my life. In 6th grade, I was a new student to the school, and I did well academically. One day the nun had asked a rather lethargic class if anyone knew the answer to her question. I did, but I kept my hand down, hoping that someone else would give her the kindness of replying. In a look of desperation, she asked again, “Doesn’t ANYONE know?” I raised my hand and gave the correct answer.

At that moment, a troublemaker similar to your bunch said something that caused the back of the room to laugh. Sister asked him to repeat it, and he said, “I wish she (meaning me) would go back where she came from!” Like you, I remember his face and his name to this very day. I was so demoralized that I rarely spoke up in a group situation, even as an adult. One day in bible study, an amazing encounter changed all that.

I had attempted to speak an answer to Sister’s question and another lady rudely interrupted me to get her point across. One participant overrode her and asked me to continue my statement. I hesitated, but she insisted, so I got it out. I called her my Veronica! It gets better yet . . .

One day “Veronica” came to class saying that her husband was in terrible pain suffering from a back injury. They had done a spinal procedure (milogram) and told her they cannot operate again, and had prepared to send him home crippled with pain and a lifetime of medications. I begged God to repay my Veronica with a kindness for the deed she rendered to me.

A most awesome answer came as an inspiration to go to his bedside in the hospital and pray for healing. After testing it with a request for a sign, the sign was given, and so I went. Immediately after I prayed, his pain subsided and to quicken the story, he was healed and became a daily communicant, and a man who ran miles every day thereafter.

Be assured, dear readers, I do not have the gift of healing, but God was utterly merciful to the lady who ministered to me, as a blessing for her deep kindness. I call it a special ‘grace for the moment.’ It is so true that what she did for me, she did unto Christ, and he repaid her a hundredfold!

 

[InLight247]

One day “Veronica” came to class saying that her husband was in terrible pain suffering from a back injury. They had done a spinal procedure (milogram) and told her they cannot operate again, and had prepared to send him home crippled with pain and a lifetime of medications. I begged God to repay my Veronica with a kindness for the deed she rendered to me.

A most awesome answer came as an inspiration to go to his bedside in the hospital and pray for healing. After testing it with a request for a sign, the sign was given, and so I went. Immediately after I prayed, his pain subsided and to quicken the story, he was healed and became a daily communicant, and a man who ran miles every day thereafter.

Be assured, dear readers, I do not have the gift of healing, but God was utterly merciful to the lady who ministered to me, as a blessing for her deep kindness. I call it a special ‘grace for the moment.’ It is so true that what she did for me, she did unto Christ, and he repaid her a hundredfold!

Wow, what a story and what a blessing! God is so good!

And I am surprised to see this thread re-pop up from a year ago.
It reappears just in time. In tomorrow’s CCD class, we will discuss Jesus’ miracles.
5L2F is a major one. I can surely utilize the good testimonies here to emphasize the importance of kindness.

Thanks Joysong! Thank you all!

 

[Joysong]

Hi InLight,

I was looking up the thread you mentioned privately about Purgatory, so I did a search on your threads. When this one came up, I read it, but did not realize it was a year old.

Seems the Lord meant it for good, nevertheless, and renewed something useful for your class. Praise be to God, and may He bless your students as you impart these teachings to them.

Carole

 

[Feedmysheep]

While visiting my SIL in Atlanta, I saw a car in front of my slow down while approaching a homeless man. The driver of the car handed a bag of chips to the man, who gratefully took it.

That was it. The car then drove off, the homeless man walked away. But it was such a blinding thing for me, who was always raised to keep “those people” at a “safe distance”. If charity was given, it was given through the filter of an organization. One didn’t interact with the hungry, one simply gave money.

Since seeing that person’s charity in real life, I have since taken to carrying some sort of food in my car at all times. On the few occasions I’ve run into a needy brother or sister, I have something to give them beside an abstract sort of sympathy.

So this is backward, actually, it was other people’s kindness, my miracle- the miracle of learning to do as Our Lord commanded.

FMS

 

[puzzleannie]

for the record, yes the boy who offered his lunch was cooperating with God’s plan, but Jesus worked a genuine miracle in feeding the 5000 with that gift.

along the lines of the school story, we moved when DD was in 5th grade and put her in the local parochial school, very small, very clique-y, very horrible place (we pulled kids out at the end of the year). all the girls in her class ganged up on a child who had kidney disease (later proved terminal, she died in Jr Hi) and who sometimes unfortunately had accidents. DD took her side, and consequently was ostracized and suffered the same abuse, which carried over into local sports, scouts etc. With a lot of anxiety about son’s illness, move, new jobs, finances etc. I did not pick up on what was going on until Christmas.

she would get sick on the bus, throw up at school, genuinely ill just thinking about school, but she stuck with her friend thru thick and thin. Oldest daughter got a clue first, because she was friends with some 8th graders. Other kids played an extremely malicious trick on son during the Christmas pageant, publicly, DD found out who was responsible, and with her friends enforced justice kid style. Well there were ructions and the whole story came out, including the situation with the 5th grade girls, since same families were involved.

bottom line, my 3 kids who were always pretty good, from that day became dedicated underdog champions, and have always made it a point to seek out and stand up for the underdog, and have lots of opportunity for that particular charity, and have passed this value on to their own kids, and I am very proud of it. Without going into more detail in this overlong post, they changed lives as kids and are still changing lives.

 

[InLight247]

Since seeing that person’s charity in real life, I have since taken to carrying some sort of food in my car at all times. On the few occasions I’ve run into a needy brother or sister, I have something to give them beside an abstract sort of sympathy.

So this is backward, actually, it was other people’s kindness, my miracle- the miracle of learning to do as Our Lord commanded.
FMS

Thanks for your beautiful reflection.

The previous Vicar in our church worked with Mother Teresa in D.C. before.
He said Mother Teresa often told them, “Let’s go to find Jesus.” With that, they took off to the cold dark street finding homeless people and helping them.

Jesus truly is in the least of our brothers.

 

[InLight247]

bottom line, my 3 kids who were always pretty good, from that day became dedicated underdog champions, and have always made it a point to seek out and stand up for the underdog, and have lots of opportunity for that particular charity, and have passed this value on to their own kids, and I am very proud of it. Without going into more detail in this overlong post, they changed lives as kids and are still changing lives.

I always like Romans 8:28 **“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” ** Your story once again proved it. You should be very proud.