God's Generosity in Acts of Kindness

Ruth and Doug have for decades generously shared their lives with people literally all over the world, but mostly among Muslims. Their very character is life-giving. They also exude gratitude. It’s not a surprise to see Ruth connect a familiar portion of Scripture to an experience that features a generous act of kindness extended to them by a Muslim bystander at a moment of need. 

Ruth: 

I Peter 4 somehow reminded me of one of Doug's favorite stories.  

It was a wet, wintry afternoon in Istanbul, and we were hurrying down the Metrobus platform, heading back home after church.  Doug's guitar was strapped to his back, and somehow, a gust of wind caught it, and he landed right on his nose.  A little group of university-aged young ladies rushed over.  It was all we could do to stop one of them from mopping up the blood with her lovely white pashmina shawl.  A sweet act of kindness to an elder.  

Peter might have been thinking of something like this when he said,   “Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything..." (The Message). 

Our kind deeds should at least match that of this young lady, and they should be filled with God's love.  As Martin Luther King said,  "I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too heavy a burden to bear". I'm thankful today for that young Muslim lady's act of kindness and for the thousands of opportunities God gives us to reflect His love to others.