The Joy Of Sharing

The Joy of Sharing

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Philippians 4:5

Rushing through Target’s front doors at 6:48 p.m., I scanned the crowd even as my feet slowed from a brisk walk to a gentler gait. I was three minutes late for my arranged meeting time with a young married couple from China—two teachers in my children’s immersion school—and we had big plans for the evening.

They were pregnant with their first child, and the parents in our program asked if we could throw them an American-style baby shower, complete with the obligatory baby registry. My shower cohostess and I quickly realized that this young couple was overwhelmed by all the American baby paraphernalia and was unsure of how to even begin deciding what was necessary in those first months after birth, so I volunteered to tackle the baby aisles with them.

That night, we had such fun. We laughed as we tried to figure out how to collapse the strollers, we cooed over the tiniest of hats, and we debated the pros and cons of the bigger swing versus the travel swing. I steered them away from the gimmicks and helped them discern which items were a priority. They, in turn, gave me the gift of a stroll down memory lane as I shared in their excitement of anticipating new life and new beginnings.

As we hugged goodbye in the middle of the diaper aisle, they thanked me for sharing my wisdom and experience with them, and I thanked them for allowing me to be a part of their great joy on the cusp of this grand new adventure.

As I practically skipped my way back out of the store, I thanked God for the opportunity to use my parenting experience and knowledge to bless someone else who is just starting the journey. When we are intentionally considerate of others, it reveals God at work in us. How we act and how we treat others reveals God to the world without a single word.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Think of an area where you have the wisdom of experience. Use your knowledge and experience to help someone else.