An Unexpected Kindness

I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

My husband, Kyle, had just lost his job. I was six months pregnant with our second child, and we were fostering two children. I was planning to stay home full time with the kids once our son was born. Kyle’s job loss completely derailed our plans, making us unsure of what to do next. We began to ask ourselves questions: Can I still quit my job? Would it be irresponsible to do so? What is the best thing for us to do financially? What is God asking of us? These questions, along with the uncertainty of our future, left me feeling worried. Many nights I would lie in bed praying for my husband to find work and wondering what I should do about my job. I knew I wanted to make a wise decision—one that would honor the Lord and be the best thing for our growing family.

At the time, we were renting a house from friends of ours. The week after Kyle lost his job, my friend sent me a little note offering encouragement and letting me know they wouldn’t be collecting a rent check for the following month. A gift, she said, to help alleviate any financial concerns while Kyle looked for another job.

That unexpected kindness was enough to carry us through the next couple of months’ bills without too much concern, and it became a continual reminder of God’s faithfulness when worry would start to creep in.

Kindness is a two-way street, something we give and something we receive from others. Psalm 77 tells us to remember all the ways we’ve been shown kindness and seen miracles over the years as an example of God’s faithfulness in our lives. When we remember and are grateful for all the ways God has shown favor toward us, it can help us to more easily show kindness toward others.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Offer some encouragement or support to someone who may be going through a financial hardship.

From the book