The Kindness of a Stranger
In the fall of 2004, my husband and I finally embarked on a long-awaited journey to Veracruz, Mexico. My parents kindly offered to take care of our kids. This way, we could reconnect with friends and enjoy the beauty of this amazing Mexican state.
Just a few days after we arrived, we received the devastating news that my beloved Grandmother had passed away during the night. The news struck me hard. I was in disbelief as we quickly changed our return flight and scrapped our other travel plans.
Grieving and Far From Home
It wasn’t easy to accept that my lively Grandmother was suddenly gone. She had always been a significant part of my life, and I held her close to my heart.
As I prepared to attend a local church service the following morning, my emotions finally overwhelmed me. I found myself in tears, trying to cope with my sadness.
I took a seat next to a kind middle-aged woman in the chapel. She turned to me with a gentle smile, her warm, dark eyes full of compassion. My Spanish skills were never great, and they completely failed me then. She didn’t speak any English, so we couldn’t communicate verbally. But during the service, her arm pressed against mine, and that simple touch provided me with comfort as I navigated through my grief.
When the service ended, the woman stood up and left, likely unaware of the deep impact she had on me. Yet, I will never forget how her small gesture of kindness offered me solace during such a difficult time.
The best place to find helping hands – is at the end of your own arms. – Proverb
“I have wept in the night
At my shortness of sight
That to others’ needs made me blind,
But I never have yet
Had a twinge of regret
For being a little too kind.”
Crowded Ways of Life
by Walter S. Gresham
‘T IS ONLY A HALF TRUTH the poet has sung
Of the “house by the side of the way.”
Our Master had neither a house nor a home,
But He walked with the crowd day by day.
And I think, when I read of the poet’s desire,
That a house by the road would be good;
But service is found in its tenderest form
When we walk with the crowd in the road.
So I say, Let me walk with the men in the road,
Let me seek out the burdens that crush,
Let me speak a kind word of good cheer to the weak
Who are falling behind in the rush.
There are wounds to be healed, there are breaks we must mend,
There’s a cup of cold water to give;
And the man in the road by the side of his friend
Is the man who has learned to live.
Then tell me no more of the house by the road;
There is only one place I can live—
It’s there with the men who are toiling along,
Who are needing the cheer I can give.
It is pleasant to live in the house by the way
And be a friend, as the poet has said;
But the Master is bidding us: “Bear ye their load,
For your rest waiteth yonder ahead.”
I could not remain in the house by the road
And watch as the toilers go on,
Their faces beclouded with pain and with sin,
So burdened their strength nearly gone.
I’ll go to their side, I’ll speak in good cheer,
I’ll help them to carry their load;
And I’ll smile at the man in the house by the way,
As I walk with the crowd in the road.
Out there in the road that goes by the house,
Where the poet is singing his song,
I’ll walk and I’ll work ‘midst the heat of the day,
And I’ll help falling brothers along—
Too busy to live in the house by the way,
Too happy for such an abode.
And my heart sings its praise to the Master of all,
Who is helping me serve in the road.
Our Master had neither a house nor a home,
But He walked with the crowd day by day.
And I think, when I read of the poet’s desire,
That a house by the road would be good,
But service is found in its tenderest form
When we walk with the crowd in the road.
Out there in the road that goes by the house
Where the poet is singing his song,
I’ll walk and I’ll work ‘midst the heat of the day
And I’ll help falling brothers along,
Too busy to live in the house by the way,
Too happy for such an abode,
And my heart sings its praise to the Master of all
Who is helping me serve in the road!
—Walter J. Gresham
“Father, where shall I work today?”
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed me out a tiny spot
And said, “Tend that for Me.”
I answered quickly, “Oh, no, not that.
Why, no one would ever see
No matter how well my work was done.
Not that little place for me”
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly,
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
Are thou working for them or Me?
Nazareth was a little place
And so was Galilee”
—Meade McGuire
Creating a positive impact in the world doesn’t necessitate large sums of money or endless free time. Rather, it’s the simple gestures of kindness, shared through each smile, that will ultimately transform our world.
See other posts from my Grandma’s Treasures collection:
Ageless Journies was originally created as a place to share the best of 360 degree videos on YourTube for exploring the world. Grandma’s Treasures is an addition to this website. Feel free to explore the VR Tour Guide page if you are interested in learning more about virtual travel with our without a virtual reality headset.
If you know anything about these authors or would like to share your thoughts about their poetry, please feel free to comment below. Thank You!
