Someone was very kind to my boys yesterday and handed them some money. It was more than they usually have at any one time… I mean, they’re only 6 & 1/2 and almost 9.
They were so appreciative of receiving the gift and thanked the giver. And the whole scene touched my heart for a couple of reasons:
1) Someone acknowledged my kids and took note that they have dreams and desires. They’re not “less than’s.” They are just younger and maybe shorter than we adults. It was as if that person valued my kids as people… for who they are… and for the things they do.
2) That person didn’t have to give them that money. There is no unwritten code of etiquette which suggests it would have been appropriate. It was sheerly a gesture of kindness, love and generosity.
Here’s the thing… When that person blessed my kids, it blessed me and made me happy. It made me feel glad for my kids and good toward the giver.
And my guess is that God feels the same way when we treat others with kindness and generosity… when we value each other for who the other person is and what they do. I surmise He grins a big grin and says, “Yeah! That makes me happy.”
I’m convinced that God will bless us when we treat others the way that person treated my kids yesterday. Because if I— a far-less perfect father— feel that way when someone blesses my kids, how much more will God feel that way when someone blesses His kids?
What if tomorrow we put forth the effort to treat someone else kindly… with generosity… with respect and dignity? Why, I believe we would honor God and invite His blessing on our own lives. And I for one want to live that way!
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