Kindness Notices the Need and Then Acts

Read: John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:9

Name that artist. Who is famous for singing these lyrics?

“Don't walk around the down and out lend a helping hand instead of doubt,

And the kindness that you show every day will help someone along their way

You've got to try a little kindness...

You've got to try a little kindness...”

Did you guess Glen Campbell? That's right, and is there anything sweeter than to hear a story of someone who walked those lyrics out? Not in my book; so, here is the story all the way from Pensacola, Florida.

For ten years, Charlie Hicks went twice a day to the Shrimp Basket Restaurant. For lunch and dinner, Mr. Hicks gave the same order, requesting a cup of gumbo, light on the rice and no crackers. Chef, Donell Stallworth said that Hicks was there when the restaurant opened each day. Then one day in September, Hicks didn't come, and more days came and went with no Charlie Hicks. Stallworth was worried, and he left in the middle of a shift to find out what was going on. He knocked on Charlie Hicks' door repeatedly, but there was no response. As he was about to leave, Stallworth heard a calling out for help; so, he went in. Charlie Hicks was on the floor, and how badly he was hurt was unknown. It ended up that he had two broken ribs along with being dehydrated, but the story didn't end when Hicks was taken to the hospital. The Shrimp Basket continued to bring gumbo to Charlie while he was hospitalized. In addition, they found him an apartment right next to the restaurant, bought new appliances for Charlie and fixed up the apartment for him. “We made a connection,” Hicks told CBS News. “We made a connection.” Stallworth said having Hicks now living right next door “is the best thing going.” “He’s that uncle,” Stallworth said. “He’s that grandfather. He’s that best friend. He’s all in one.”

Stories like that one touch our hearts, don't they? Reminders that hands still reach out to pick someone up without expecting anything in return. Sweet kindness, and there is no one in the world Who has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate this kindness like the Lord, John 3:16. We all come into the world more helpless than Charlie Hicks was that day when he was lying on the floor. I'm not talking about the helplessness brought on by dehydration and broken ribs. No, it is something far worse. I'm talking about the truth that we all are born with our backs turned away from God. In Ephesians 2:1-8, we are reminded that God says that we are dead in sin. Unable to reach out for Him unless His grace and kindness is first held out to us. That we are that needy is hard for some people to believe since the prevailing thought in this world is that we are all basically good. Such a different assessment than what God says, Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23. Let's take a moment and remember how it was at the beginning and how things changed so dramatically. What happened that caused all of us to be so needy?

At first, it was all very good in Eden, the beautiful garden that God had made for His first two people Adam and Eve. They even conversed with God just as we talk with each other, Genesis 3:8. It is difficult to imagine the beauty, closeness and unspoiled fellowship Adam and Eve must have enjoyed together with God. They knew nothing about evil, and God had given Adam only one thing he was not to do. He was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everything else lay before Adam and Eve with no limits from God, Genesis 2:16-17. Oh, how wonderful it would have been if nothing had come between God and His first two people. If that were the case, we each would have been born with our hearts facing toward God. Always desiring to know Him better and love Him more. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's one and only prohibition, everything changed. Sin and evil turned things upside-down. Adam and Eve were banished from their paradise so they wouldn't eat from the tree of life and live forever without the possibility of Redemption. That was a great act of kindness on God's part though Adam and Eve probably couldn't understand how God was protecting them by removing them from their beautiful home, Genesis 3:22-24.

That wasn't the only kindness that God provided Adam and Eve and yes, us also.

In Genesis 3:15, God promised that He would provide a Savior. One Who would come and turn the world right-side-up with His coming. God gave Adam and Eve the promise that provided Hope. Yes, the One we sing about at Christmas is the Living Kindness Whom God sent into the world. The One Who is lauded and seen in the manger scenes is the One Whose kindness was put on display from the feeding trough to the cross and praise God, to the empty tomb. God had a plan even before He created the world, Titus 1:2; Revelation 13:8. We were on His heart. Even before the first day of creation the plan was in place. He would display His kindness through Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

In Charlie Hicks' story, he was graciously brought to a new home. A sweet kindness provided by his friends at the Shrimp Basket. A place where he will be near those who cared enough about him to reach out and help him. Through a far more wonderful act of kindness, God has provided a new home for those who will receive Him, John 1:11-12; John 14:1-3. It is a prepared home, and as it was in Eden, it is a home where we will fellowship with God forever. May God be praised for His indescribable Gift, 2 Corinthians 9:15.