Many of you know I was adopted at birth into a wonderful family. Dad (Robert) and Mom (Jane) didn’t hesitate in bringing into their lives my two older sisters (Ladona and Melinda) and myself, all three of us from different families. We always knew we had been adopted. It was never strange or awkward, it was simply part of our God-story, and a beautiful one at that. Many years later, I was able to locate my birth family, which is a wonderful full story better saved for another blog. In my birth family I found five older siblings: four brothers and a sister (she’s the oldest). And in an effort to build these new brother relationships and, at least for me, to make up for some lost time, three of us brothers have made it a new tradition to take an annual brothers trip. From Colorado to South Dakota, Wyoming, and beyond, we’ve experienced breathtaking places, created lifelong memories, and met remarkable people along the way.
As I think back over those trips, I’m struck by the remarkable variety of people we’ve encountered. They’ve come from every corner of society: different ages, religions, races, cultures, economic backgrounds, educational levels, and life stories. Despite all that seemed to separate us, each interaction quietly testified to a deeper truth: every person bears the image of God and has something to teach us if we’re willing to slow down and listen. Some conversations with those we’ve met maybe lasted only a few moments. Others never happened at all, as we might have just seen them from afar. But I still wonder: Did I offer a smile? Did I show kindness? Was I patient? Did I leave an encouraging impression? Did I thank the server well with both my words and my tip? Did I thank the event worker for their attention and care? Sometimes we move through life on autopilot, hardly noticing the countless people who cross our paths. Yet every interaction, no matter how brief, is an opportunity to reflect something of Christ.
When we truly stop to think about what it means to act like a Christian, what comes to mind? Kindness. Compassion. Empathy. Patience. Forgiveness. We could probably keep adding to that list all day long. And I understand, we’re all busy. We’re trying to care for our families, meet deadlines, and keep up with life’s demands. It’s easy to overlook the stranger in the airport, the cashier at the grocery store, or the person sitting alone at the restaurant. But Scripture gently calls us to a different way of living. It reminds us that our faith is not only seen in the big moments, but often in the smallest acts of grace.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The Lord is loving to everyone
and his compassion is over all his works.
All your works praise you, O Lord,
and your faithful servants bless you.
They make known the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your power;
That the peoples may know of your power
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
your dominion endures throughout all ages.
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and merciful in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all those who fall;
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
—Psalm 145:8-151
Gosh, have I always been full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great kindness, as this Psalm describes? I’ll be honest, probably not, as I’m totally human. People frustrate me sometimes, believe it or not. I’ve spent enough time in airports to know that some of you aren’t quite sure how to get around. Haha! But in all seriousness, I don’t want those little frustrations to become bigger than the opportunity God has placed in front of me. May He keep the words of Psalm 145 in our hearts and shape our actions. His kingdom is everlasting, and my desire is to point as many people toward Him as possible, not only with my words, but with my attitude.
The encouraging news is that you and I can do this. We have the God-given ability to show compassion, kindness, patience, and sympathy, whether the person standing before us is a lifelong friend, one of our brothers or sisters, or someone we’ll never see again. In the moments where I’ve fallen short, I pray God continues to teach me how to do better. Will you join me? Will you join me in becoming someone who well reflects the heart of the Psalmist’s words, someone who helps lift up those who are weary and down?
We got this. As we remember how much Jesus has given for us, may we discover fresh ways to give ourselves to others through simple acts of grace, kindness, and compassion. Perhaps those small moments will become the very things God uses to point someone toward His everlasting kingdom.
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer2
Luke Gambill 