The Prewedding Phone Call

He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

My friend Andrea was busy setting up at the reception hall the night before her wedding, when her mom handed her a phone. “It’s Cody, calling from Italy,” she said, walking away.

As Andrea chatted on the phone with her brother, he congratulated her on her upcoming marriage and said he wished he could be there to celebrate. But since he was in the military and currently stationed in Italy, the ticket price was too high to fly him, his wife, and their young daughter home for the wedding. Andrea said she understood, although she wished it had worked for them to come, as the family hadn’t seen them for two years.

As they continued to visit on the phone, Andrea’s mom walked back around the corner, holding a little girl. Andrea glanced over and then did a double take, unable to believe what she was seeing. It was her niece! Andrea dropped the phone on the floor and ran around the corner to find her brother—the same one she’d thought was still in Italy. Andrea’s mom had secretly paid to fly the three of them home just in time for the wedding. Leaving the reception hall, they went that night to get an extra bridesmaid dress and a flower girl dress to include the newly arrived family members in the wedding the next day.

We often think of showing kindness to others in terms of helping someone who is in a tough place in life—whether they are homeless, grieving, or otherwise in need. Yet laughter and joy are also from the Lord, and so we are encouraged to join with others when they are experiencing happy occasions in their lives. Taking part in another person’s happiness and celebrating with them in a joyous time is a beautiful way to show kindness and demonstrate that you care. In what ways can you show kindness to those who are celebrating something in their life?

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Celebrate a recent joy—a new baby, a job promotion, a new marriage—of someone you know.

From the book