An Example of Kindness
11/17/11
Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring."
-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest August 21st
There are some people who leave an indelible mark on our lives. Recently, I went visit one of my original Carpe Diem clients who is in a nursing home. This woman was a source of encouragement and hope to me; a reflection of what life can hold after living through many decades. She lived in one of the most beautiful houses that I have ever been in. It is older than Mount Vernon and decorated with such taste that I still dream of a high canopy bed like the one in her guest room.
She gave me the moral support that I needed in a very important time of my life. I was not even in a year into starting my company, Carpe Diem Cleaning, and working hard to figure out my business and this thing called life. She was my every Friday client and my time in her house was for cleaning, but it was also to have a good conversation. I remember she was keeping up with the OJ Simpson trial and one of our first debates was whether humans are basically good or basically sinful.
A few weeks ago, her husband called me to share that her health turned and she was now in a home. He and their daughter have done an incredible job taking care of her and even in this season, their example of faithfulness has been humbling to watch. When I went to visit her, she didn’t fully recognize me and she was very tired. I was not sure what to do, so I went to find someone in the home to ask what was best. A nurse came with me, just to check in, and as we were talking, she shared how sometimes my friend would not remember who the nurse was, but as she tucked her in at night, my friend would say "thank you" and "I love you." I am hoping to go sometime soon when she is having a good day, so I can say "thank you" to her one more time.
One of my observations has been when we get older, whatever filters we developed through adulthood, simply erode. I have known some people whose filters have stopped working and now they are just plain mean. Any façade of kindness no longer exists and what's really inside, comes out. But with my friend, as her filters have faded, only has kindness left. Once again, she has made an impression on me on how to live my life well.
Lord, let my heart be soft towards you so that some day when my filters are gone, people will see a loving person. Thank you A. for being a guidepost for me!
