Lydia, 78, lives across the street from one of the city bus stops. It’s the stop with a broken bench and no walls or covering to block the rain, snow, wind, or hot sun. Most days, Lydia sits by the window, drinks her hot tea, and watches the people as they wait for the bus. With the first snow coming early, she noticed a young man blowing on his hands and rubbing them together to try to keep warm. Lydia thought about that scene all day long. That evening she went to her stash of yarn and knitted a pair of gloves. Early the next morning she left the gloves on the bench with a note that said, “If your hands are cold, these are for you. No need to return them.” By that afternoon they were gone. The next day another pair was left. Soon Lydia was also knitting scarves and hats to leave on the bench. One day she noticed a student leaving a pair of socks. The delivery driver left two new pairs of gloves. Another person left a thermos of coffee, with disposable cups beside it. Notes soon appeared on the bench.
“Stay warm, friend.”
“You matter.”
“Take what you need. Leave what you can.”
The city even replaced the broken bench. Lydia continued to knit, even when her hands were sore, reminding herself she was part of something bigger than herself. She noted the lesson she learned: “You don’t need to change the whole world to make a difference. You just need to warm one person’s hands, one heart, one moment. Because kindness – like a thread – travels further than you’ll ever see.”
While Asunka Kumara was attending a veteran’s funeral in Texas, it began to rain. He noticed a uniformed soldier standing at attention in the downpour. Immediately, 14-year-old Moises Sauceda stepped over to the soldier and respectfully held an umbrella over his head. Tears and drops from the rain were running down Moises’ face. When asked why he did it, Moises commented, “It reminded me of my dad. I needed to do something.” Kumara reflected, “And he did – showing all of us what quiet, genuine respect truly looks like.”
Every day, may we also choose to do something to benefit and encourage others.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
