The Kindness of Strangers
Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
Since learning as a child in Sunday School we could possibly entertain angels and not be aware of it; I have tried to be kind to everyone. Those same Sunday School classes taught us the Golden Rule. I have made an effort to do good wherever and whenever I could. These lessons have remained at the forefront of my mind.
Learning Sunday School and Bible Study lessons have helped me through this journey called life. Spiritual parental supervision seasoned with more love than I could ever use have been a tremendous blessing, as well.
Presently, I am working on a project that is beyond my skill-set in many ways. I have searched the Internet and found a forum for help. It has been two weeks and I have found the kindness of strangers who are demonstrating the same spirit of giving taught by my parents and at church. These people have given many hours of their time without monetary compensation. I suggested payment to one young man and he was highly offended.
This young man and I have formed a partnership of sorts. We have learned from each other. We have already had a falling out, so to speak, but a bond has formed between two people who care about others. He is young enough to be my son and I feel maternal towards him. He has a brilliant mind and is wise beyond his twenty-four years. We have communicated through tense moments that are apart of life and are moving forward. It is refreshing getting to know someone with such maturity and gentleness.
As we worked on a new project earlier today, he asked what I had in mind. He wanted to know my ideas about something. In my excitement throughout the day, I had failed to eat anything except a piece of fruit. I answered him, "well, I hadn't thought about it." My tummy was talking to me too and I had decided I would make an omelet and toast. He came back with, "knowing as little as I do but as much as I do about you, I think you'd want something religious etc . . . and something for dentists . . . " What he said caused my eyes to mist over with tears. This young man has listened to me, kept an open mind, learned things about me and could think for me.
I let him know, "yeah, that's what I had in mind but my hunger is making me daft!" He laughed out loud and told me to get a bite to eat and I could check something he was working on when I returned.
I am privileged to enjoy the kindness of this 24-year old Dutchman. We have discovered we have visited some of the same places in Europe. He is fluent in four languages and we communicate in three of them. I have learned basic words in Dutch and have amazed him when I answer in Dutch.
Earlier, I was wondering if he'd gone out with his girlfriend but he popped online. It is Friday night and six hours later in Holland. I have learned his girlfriend is a student and works part-time. She had fallen asleep on the couch which allowed him computer time. He came online to check my progress on our project. It pleased him and that made me happy.
We never know how others will impact our lives when we meet them, whether online or in real life. Because I had a problem and not the solution, in my search, he provided the solution and so much more. We have become friends. I find that incredible! The invoice I would receive for his services would be astronomical! I do not take lightly how he has blessed me with his knowledge, time, expertise, friendship and kindness.
This young man's kindness has encouraged me to do more. . . to be more. . . to give more. . . to help more. . . and to tell you about him. Be kind to everyone. How we treat others is important. And if you are a parent, believe it or not, your children will be affected by your deeds. I know that to be true.
Copyright 2008 Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Avis, I loved the thoughtfulness of this article! Glad you had help with the project too and hope all has gone well by now. I admire you for learning new languages, too. Most of all, may God continue to be honored through the legacy of your parents. Thanks for a meaningful article.Jane, thank you for sharing my experience with your kind comments. This experience was very meaningful to me. Somehow, I was able to get that across. Another thing, you understood from where it came and who gets ultimate credit. That wasn't stated directly in the article but yes, God is honored through my parents legacy. The project's progressing and this young man has astounded me as late as two hours ago. It reduced me to a puddle. We would do well to recognize our blessings. I'm blessed to know you through your writings. Thank you and I hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Hi Avis. This is a very beautiful article. It is full of hope that we can all help each other, no matter where we might live, instead of hurt each other.Thank you,DianneHiya Dianne. How very true your words are in your comments. Thank you for understanding why I have been touched. I put forth my best effort as a surge of emotions filled me while writing this article.
I have felt this way about many writers at SW and have been blessed by you, as well. Thank you. Hope the weekend's a great one!
Hi Avis, I love this and have found it to be true for myself. Especially with friendhsips that I have gained through SW. To be closely connected with someone who believes differently, has different hobbies,,,etc, is a miracle and I love when we can learn from eachother and offer comfort in the ways that we know how. I think people appreciate that, even if they consider uncoventional. Thanks for sharing your experience. And thank you for being a friend, though we have never met in person.My friend, Teresa, thank you. Yes, the friendships I've formed at SW have been just as meaningful to me, as well. We were fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. He made us so that it would not be necessary to always see with our eyes to be a friend but with our hearts. He is an AWESOME God! Your comments are merely an extension of my personal sentiments. Thank you very much. Hoping all's going well with the move. (I need to check my pantry! . . . and leave my comments!) :-) Great analogy!
I know first hand from a certain person, who we both know. A stranger in distance but a true sister to all. Yes and sister is relative to person, individual, being, not anything to do with an identification with race. I think you know who I mean [wink], with best regards as always, Robert.Hmmmm, I wonder who you could be speaking of, Robert?! *grinning* Thank you kindly, my dear friend. You recognize yourself in me (not the sister part but brother) as you are a true brother to all. You're a wonderful brother and friend. I appreciate you and your comments. Warmest regards to you always...Avis.
Avis, thank you for the great article. We definitely reap what we sow. God's word tells us this many times. There is a new song out by Point of Grace call "How you Live". I will be performing this one at church soon. Anyways, the chorus goes...It's now who you knew, it's not what you did, but how you live. I know that I haven't done anything to earn the love of Jesus. Thank God it is His gift to us.Michelle, my apologies for responding late to your comments. I read them and thought I had. An oversight. Thank you and what a lovely song. I do not know it. I'm sure you'll bless everyone when you sing it to the Lord. "We definitely reap what we sow." Amen! Be blessed.No worries about late comments, There are many articles to read not to mention the fact that we also have many responsibilities on a daily schedule to deal with. Blessings always. : - )
hi avis,what a well written, interesting article.i have met so many good, decent, helpful people in the 2 years i have been on this site, so i know what you are speaking about.i met you, didn't I? :) a blessing.thanks for sharing,my best,sueSue, I am pleased to know you found this article interesting. Thank you for reading and posting your comments. Ooo for sure, there I have made friends with many Warpies and they too, have blessed me. You know I could not exclude you. You've been helpful to me in many ways. I think this guy got to me because it was instant. I have had the writings of my friends here to lure me to you but with him, nothing. As it was with the others who have helped. He and I just clicked even with the age disparity. (Among other things.)
You have been a blessing to me and I am thankful you feel that way about me. Take special care, my friend. :)
Hi Avis, great article and very apt. I am generally kind to everyone who needs kindness and have rec'd great acts of kindness from strangers myself. I think this is a natural state of being for many people, though some do need a little extra encouragement. I have tonight given a very good business idea to someone I don't particularly like, but he asked for the help and I gave it. It after all cost me nothing.Time is precious but we should not be selfish with it as your time is the gift people appreciate more than money and gold and any other thing.Hi CB, thank you kindly for the glowing comments. I, like you, am kind to everyone, regardless. I never expect anyone to return it. If they do, I smile. If they do not, I still smile. People are strange so I generally make sure I do not take offenses personally. I appreciate kindness too but try to remain grounded. You know I'm a spiritual person and would rather be in the background and God in the foreground.
Good on you for giving that very good business idea to someone you don't particularly like. That's the nature of a giver, CB. It matters not how you feel about someone, if they need help, you lend a helping hand. How wonderful!
Couldn't agree more with your closing statement. I feel that's one reason I have been touched so deeply by this guy. He's a Godsend! Thanks again.
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