Last week I was shopping at my local Aldi. I got there when they opened in search of water and maybe some toilet paper. My expectations were low. There was no water or toilet paper to be found. I asked the manager when the next shipment was arriving.
“Later that morning”, he said. “I have two packages of toilet paper in the back. Do you want them?”
Absolutely!
Once he loaded the t.p. in my cart, I made sure to ask the two women near me if they needed any. They both were O.K., and on the hunt for paper towels.
The manager then said to me, “Give me your cell number. I will hold water for you once the shipment arrives and I’ll text you when it’s ready.”
Say what? Kindess? You mean I don’t have to wrestle someone for water?
A few hours later I recieved a text from the store manager that my water was ready. It was a good thing he saved it for me. As soon as the water was put out, it was gone within minutes.
This act may seem small. In the grand scheme of things it is. In that moment, it was a big deal for me. God bless that kind manager. He didn’t have to do that. But, he did.
In God’s economy kindess matters. We are given opportunities every single day to make a difference. Sometimes they seem small, almost insignificant. God knows the big picture. One act of kindness can change someones day, even their entire outlook on life.
In the book of Acts we can see one very small verse, with one very simple act of kindness. Paul is being transported on a ship to Rome to appeal to Caeser. Read Acts to get the entire incredible story. Anyway, there’s a massive storm and ultimately they run the ship aground. Everyone bails out and gets to shore on the island of Malta.
“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” (Acts 28:2, NIV)
276 men had been at sea in a terrifying storm for two weeks. When they arrive on the shore of an unknown island they were met by kind islanders who had built a fire to warm them in the cold and rain. Sounds like no big deal. It’s one verse, and most of us are focused on every other part of this amazing story, that we miss the kindness of the islanders.
God used the islanders to bless these men, including Paul, after surviving a horrific storm.
God wants to use you today. It may seem small, but it’s not. We are looking for some big, grand gesture. And sometimes we get those chances to participate in the larger, flashier blessings. Those are very important too. I’m talking about the seemingly small daily things. The little things that can have a massive ripple effect for something larger.
Thanking the grocery store workers who are working tirelessly right now.
Giving another customer your package of toilet paper from your cart.
Checking on elderly friends and neighbors.
Praying for those infected with the virus and their families.
Praying for the doctors, nurses and all hospital staff who are putting themselves in harms way to save lives.
Thank your pastor who feels all the responsibility and stress to care for their hurting flock. Pray for them too!
The list is infinite.
God has opportunites set up just for you so He can use you. We get to be a part of what God is doing. He wants to use regular people like you and me to bless others. No act of kindness is too small or too big. If there is an oportunity to bless another human being, take it. Ask God to open your eyes and soften your heart to those who might need some help or a kind word. We can make a difference.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31, NIV)
Love you all,
Meghan
- Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com
Meghan E White 
Hi Meghan! I hope you and your family are all safe and healthy! I like this very much and it goes hand in hand with what I wrote, and when you see that I highlighted this scripture, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:21-23 (KJV), it obviously is a nice tie-in to what we both have been saying. I actually called those few words my new mantra about four years ago after a major industrial injury I had several years back, which was very foul in that it was orchestrated so not only are we in spiritual warfare continually I attest how it can become all too real, in that physically things can happen, that people cause! In my case it was a chemical inhalation that could have killed me but I fought through the whole mess even fighting my own workers comp case having such a rigged system I had to, in order to see things go the right way, but in the end I prevailed because Jesus was with me the whole time and I kept stating to Him and the world, even in the court system that He is my leader; nobody else! I came out on the other side of that mess not unscathed but torn up and showing signs of taking a licking, but me like the old Timex watches took one heck of a lickin but kept on tickin! My point is after that whole ordeal I did much soul searching and praying to see if Jesus would give me any idea why I had been kicked around so much and then in the teeth afterward, and the main thing I took away was my new mantra, which was, “try to make a difference!” I’m carrying that a bit further in that; make a difference saving souls with a tiny bit of mustard seed all the way up to pouring a bucket of ice water on someone to get their attention, and that is why I right too!
So happy you wrote these words here and brings tears to my eyes honestly right now too, because I see the affirmation from God Almighty as His Spirit is speaking to this, that things are on course and to hang in there trying no matter what happens; and use what time we have whether years, months, hours or minutes left here, to always try taking the opportunity to make that difference, where and when you can! Thank you Lord and praise Jesus our glorious loving Savior! God bless you guys there and I love you too!
BTW, I found out only yesterday that this Corona Virus can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to incubate and show symptoms, I probably was exposed just under 2 weeks ago and was thinking as long as I was not going near anyone coughing or sneezing and washed my hands fastidiously I was in the clear but that’s turning out not to be so true this virus can live on objects even shoes for days. I live alone so thankfully I won’t be infecting anyone but I have chest pains and runny nose with no cough, but just feeling a bit warm and a bit weaker, so hopefully this will be a low grade run though the gauntlet, and a bounce back quick thing. I know you must be up on all of the precise information but I suppose getting more reminders isn’t a bad thing so that is what I’m doing here is making sure nobody slips through any cracks if I can help it, like I did not knowing better at the time. God Bless You and Yours and see you Blogging soon! 🧚 🙏 🙏 🙂 💫✨
Lawrence
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Wow! That’s terrible that you suffered from chemical inhalation. What a great mantra and a great motivation to write. I’m so sorry that you are not feeling well. Please be careful and get yourself to the doctor if your condition worsens. Praying for a quick recovery. Take care and get some rest. Thank you for your insight, Lawrence. God bless!
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Thank you Meghan, I had an epiphany that God obviously knew just what needed to happen and allowed it to shape me and strengthen me in particular ways even to suffer some pain and setbacks for His glory and my Salvation, which may even involve me helping in that of others. It’s all in His hands Meghan. The mission! To love and serve Him is all that should matter. Our lives here are nothing but flickering little flames of candles that are extinguished so quickly and suddenly but what comes is eternity so that pretty much says it all as far as what we should be concentrating on, the long range plan while we make the best of this time we have! Getting beat up showed me that in spades. I’m very tired right now, and haven’t had a solid night of rest lately, The symptoms I have are moderate, so bad enough to throw me off, but not too difficult. I think lots of sleep and keep drinking my green tea concoction of cayenne pepper, fresh ginger root, raw honey, fresh lemon with pulp in my big tin mug then strong green tea added does boost the immune system. But the sleep is the big thing as you know. that is when the brain sends out the army to signal special repair and restorative processes to occur. Hey glad to share insights and your prayers are greatly appreciated Meghan! I’ll be including you in mine. Amen.
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Amen! To love and serve Him is all that really matters. Take care of yourself. Thank you for your prayers. Praying for your healing and that you get plenty of rest.
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Thank you very much Meghan and fighting the good fight and fighting to overcome these invisible enemies that make us ill. I most likely have a touch of walking pneumonia from a slow brewing cold in my chest I figure but home remedies and tons of rest to fight back! No doc or meds for me I use home-style cure over all others with God to boost it all! You take care and stay positive and healthy too! I will catch up as I can! God bless you and yours. Read what I wrote that came to me in the wee hours and I had to drag but still get to my mission. You’re right; to love and serve Him is all that matters now more than ever! Amen.
🙏 🙏 😇 😇 🙏 🙏
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The grocer behind me at my Aldi actually paid for my box of Kleenex that had fallen off the conveyor belt. I realized it was missing as I was bagging groceries, turned around to look for my missing box, she found it, paid for it, & handed it to me not expecting payment. What a kind gesture! She blessed me.
Thanks, Meghan!
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That’s so neat Wendy! True kindness. Maybe it’s something about Aldi that makes this kindness come out. 😂
Thanks for sharing that story. Miss you my friend.
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Miss you too💗 So thankful for your blog. You are a blessing and very encouraging to me🙂
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Thank you! I am blessed by you too. 💜
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Thanks for your like of my post, “Translation Considerations;” you are very kind.
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It’s a great post. Very informative. I need to read it again.
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Thank you. It has facts that are often overlooked.
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