Timely Kindness
Written by Tom Cooper
“You cannot do a kindness too soon for you never know how soon it will be too late.” (Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson).
We may never know the full outcomes of timely generous acts, but sometimes we are privileged enough to see ripples of their astonishing consequences.
Someone decided years ago they had made enough money, and were going to give away everything they made in the future. As a result, thousands of people both here and abroad who live in poverty, abuse, or need received help.
Having retired early, someone else dedicated their time and resources to an organization helping young people from difficult backgrounds and at risk of dropping out of school.
One offered to forgive a friend’s large debt, if that friend would give the money he owed away to charity. This guidance changed the friend’s life.
An immigrant, experiencing mental health issues and unable to work, had their counseling paid for by others. They now have employment and financially help others who need counseling.
A young person, despite growing up in a very poor family, still tithed 10% of their paper route income to the local church. The church secretary was so touched, she wrote a recommendation when this young person applied to Harvard, where they were accepted.
A woman was abused by her husband for many years and finally escaped. For over 20 years, with her friendship, writing, and speaking, she has cared for hundreds of women with the same painful experience.
A person made it his focus for over 40 years to care for his neighbours by sharing his time, offering food, helping with errands, and hosting gatherings. When he moved to another province, people wept.
A group of teenagers started a society to encourage youth volunteers to visit with and care for those who were homeless and marginalized in society.
The needs around us range from simple conversations, to practical help, to more-costly commitments of time, talent, or money. The generous have many motivations: gratitude, compassion, faith, empathy, emulating older family members, learning from friends, or being inspired by the examples of others. Regardless of the motivation, the consequences of their generosity are far-reaching and immeasurable both for ourselves and others.
Paul’s words, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6) remind us that God created us to be conduits, not receptacles, of our blessings.
Imagine if those people mentioned above had not acted generously. The immeasurable good that would not have occurred, the lives that would not have changed for the better. When we look at our action or inaction through the stingy lens of time, the "what if" and "if only" scenarios kick in. Wait not. There is good to do, and time is ticking.
Blessings,
Tom