LENDING KINDNESS

Read Matthew 5:1-12

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full.

~~Proverbs 19:17~~

Recently I had a terrible cold. My throat was sore; I was aching, feeling run-down, my nose was running. I had no medicine, so I decided to get fresh air on the prison track. While I was on my walk, an inmate I hardly knew asked how I was doing and offered me some cough drops and honey. He wanted nothing in return. He could see my discomfort and thought only of how he could help. Later that evening a friend offered me more cough drops and a spicy soup. I soon began to feel much better in body and spirit thanks to the kindness and caring of those two fellow inmates.

Although I am in prison, I see acts of kindness, sharing, and giving every day. In my unit alone there are two “love boxes”—-collection boxes for donations such as hygiene products for the inmates who cannot afford to buy these things for themselves. The true spirit of charity is one of the greatest things I have become part of and witnessed while in prison—-people placing the needs of others before their own. From simple acts of kindness to an entire inmate population helping one another, it’s a beautiful thing to witness. God invites all of us to do the same. To whom will I show God’s love through an act of kindness?

Christopher Hill(Michigan)

Dear God, teach us to care for others the way you care for us. Amen

Jesus is coming! Are you ready?