Inspiring Kindness

Read Matthew 13:3-23 - the parable of the sower

But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Matthew 13:23 (NRSV)

George T. Wilkerson lives in North Carolina. When he thinks about bearing fruit for Christ, he remembers a story he once heard on the news. at the drive-through window of a coffee shop, a customer spontaneously paid for the order of the next car in line. It was an act of pure kindness and generosity. When the next car reached the window and discovered that the person in front had already paid, they were so touched that they, in turn, paid for the order of the next person in line.

This chain of generosity continued for more than 200 people. Upon discovering that the person ahead had paid for their order, each customer was inspired to pay for the next person's. The kindness was contagious. George imagines that the person who initiated this beautiful chain of love had no idea of the fruit that this one act of kindness would bear. This incident inspires Geroge to obey God in faith and not worry so much about the outcome. He is convinced that when we obey Christ's command to love others, it will bear fruit, even if we don't personally see the results.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to show spontaneous acts of love every day, in Jesus' name. Amen.