Silver Linings

An elderly man paused at the top of the escalator.  As a line began to form behind him, it soon became obvious that he was afraid to get on.  A young man approached, made eye contact with the man, offered his arm, and asked, “May I help you on, sir?”  The man quietly said that he had been stuck on an escalator recently and was a little scared.  While the people in line patiently waited, the older man reached for the young man’s arm and they safely rode down together.  One of those witnessing the dilemma expressed, “In about an hour, the evening news will air and we’ll be reminded of division, political mudslinging, shootings and other heartaches.  But today, violence, age, politics, and other social lines were blurred and one person simply helped another.  I wanted to hug both of them.  Whoever this young man is, YOUR FAMILY RAISED YOU RIGHT!  THANK YOU!  So, please look for the silver linings – as I was so fortunate to witness this evening." 

Michael Smith was waiting at the Loves in Newton, North Carolina, for his load to cut.  A family, riding in a red SUV, pulled up next to him.  As the father and young son approached the truck, Michael rolled down the window.  Picking up his son to reach the window, the father told the driver, “I hope you’ve had a great Driver Appreciation Week” as his son handed Michael a bag of candy.  The father explained that his son was fascinated with big trucks and had asked them to stop so he could give the truck driver his bag of candy.  Smith recounted, “It just goes to show that there can be good people in this world and gives me hope for the future generations.  This honestly just made my week 100% better.”

 

As Wendy Nance was leaving Walgreens, she noticed a Vietnam veteran slowly walking in the pouring rain carrying a bag with toothpaste and laundry soap.  She immediately went back inside the store and purchased umbrellas and went out to catch up with Gary.  He didn’t want a ride back to the senior center, where he lived, because he wanted the exercise to keep up his strength.  Wendy made the decision to walk the ¼ mile with Gary, even though it took an hour and a half.  She commented, “It was an absolutely lovely way to spend a Friday night.  Great conversation and unexpected connections.”

 

May we, too, find the silver lining as we do good deeds and minister to others.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12