A lawn care crew faithfully grooms an older couple’s property in a Knoxville neighborhood. During one of the many hot days this summer, a woman from next door saw the man trimming a tough hillside and felt he should take a break and might have run out of anything to drink. She grabbed a sports beverage from the fridge and took it out to him. The woman’s husband had talked to the man a couple other times, thanking him for keeping the neighbor’s lawn looking so good (he also knew that the lawn guy was charging the elderly couple less than market rate).
The summer heat subsided and autumn kicked in, and the lawn guy noticed a for-sale sign next door when he came to mow one day. While trimming, the man next door came out to move a hose and sprinkler, so the lawn guy shut off the trimmer and walked over. “Hey, I see you’re moving!” “Yep, tough decision but seems like the right time.” “Well, I’ll miss you that’s for sure. You and your wife have been so nice to me, there aren’t many folks like you.”
Did you enjoy that little story? Does it seem made up, or are some people actually like that? In my humble opinion, I happen to know real people who live that way. I’ve met them everywhere I’ve lived. What I keep wishing for is that God would make more of them and that they’d connect better, maybe swap stories and share best practices. They’d help each other live that way all the time and not compartmentalize kindness.
We also see no shortage of people who don’t live that way. We have a surplus of selfish. This duality makes me wonder if our own personal choice is more salient than hoping God does some miracle to make more good people. So where are you in the story? One of the nice people who are kind to others? One of the many folks who aren’t like that? Still thinking about stuff? (Hint: you should get off the fence, it’s the most painful place to sit.) Jesus said, “Whosoever as a disciple shall give unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42) Make a choice every day to bring the good, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.
Dr. Carl Grosse is an ordained pastor and author of Faith Along the Way, a weekly KnoxTNToday reflection encouraging readers to recognize God’s presence in everyday life and share His love with others.
Enjoyed this article? Read more Faith Along the Way reflections by Dr. Carl Grosse and learn more about him in his author bio on the same page. Find encouragement and inspiration for your own faith journey.
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