What Single Act of Kindness Has Most Inspired You?

It began with only one. It always begins with one.

I sat beside a tranquil pond the other day. Planning. Plotting. Dreaming. An occasional fish flipped to the surface splashing after a buzzing bug.

The usual summer stuff.

And then it began.

Somewhere around the edge of that still and stagnant pond, one frog croaked.

Just one.

It sounded awkward, uncertain. And lonely.

But not for long.

Over the next few minutes a few more more croaks joined in. Then more. Again. And again. Until soon a whole chorus of croaking resonated across the pond in a cacophonous roar.

But it all began with one.

The courageous frog reminded me. It always begins with one.

My plans may seem insignificant to the rest of the pond. I may tell myself some reassuring lies about my croak not making much of a difference.

And it won’t. If I don’t.

But What Are They For So Many?

I think generosity works the same way. When one person acts selflessly, its as if we all get permission to do the same.

Perhaps you saw this picture of a random act of generosity taken by Jennifer Foster and the accompanying story that went viral last year:

Right when I was about to approach, one of your officers came up behind him. The officer said, ‘I have these size 12 boots for you, they are all-weather. Let’s put them on and take care of you.’ The officer squatted down on the ground and proceeded to put socks and the new boots on this man. The officer expected NOTHING in return and did not know I was watching. I have been in law enforcement for 17 years. I was never so impressed in my life. I did not get the officer’s name. It is important, I think, for all of us to remember the real reason we are in this line of work. The reminder this officer gave to our profession in his presentation of human kindness has not been lost on myself or any of the Arizona law enforcement officials with whom this story has been shared. (USA Today)

I’m not sure I would have done the same, at least not before seeing and hearing about this one act. Now, I just might.

Because all it takes is one.

All too often we tell ourselves that one generous act won’t matter in the face of so much need. We offer excuses much as the disciples did when confronted with so many hungry people.

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”  Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” (John 6:9-10)

One generous soul was enough for Christ to do something miraculous. Maybe it’s enough for him to do the same through you today.

What single act of generosity have you witnessed that inspired you to greater kindness? Share your story with a comment below.