A simple act of kindness

I wish I had taken a photo, a video of the events this morning.  I kick myself for not thinking of it, but I didn't.  We simply watched in amazement.

This morning my wife and I went out for breakfast.  It was busy, crowded as usual, and every table was full.  Next to us, across the aisle, was an older frail gray-haired man sitting alone.  He had to be in his early 90's, sitting in his electric wheelchair at his table waiting for his breakfast order.  He was dressed in a suit and tie. It was an older tan suit, a bit wrinkled but he had dressed for the occasion, for a nice breakfast out. 

The restaurant was noisy, busy.  Wait staff running in all directions, but in the middle of it sat this aged gentleman.

The waitress brought his meal.  It was quite a big meal for a frail older gentleman, but she set it before him and then proceeded to take his knife and fork and cut up his food for him.  My wife watched in amazement, as the activity around us continued, but at that table time stopped while this amazing waitress took time for a simple act of kindness.

When she was finished she brought more coffee for us and we asked about this older gentleman.  She told us he comes for breakfast every Saturday, sits in her section and she takes care of him by helping him with his meal, by cutting up his food.

It's a simple thing.  A small thing really, but it's Jesus stuff, the kind of thing that all of us should be about.  I've thought about her act of kindness and her sweet spirit.  It's what the people of God should be about all the time....the little things, the small graces, the little simple acts of kindness that show the world a different way, a way marked by love.

Today we saw one of Jesus' kids living out a simple act of kindness that showed the love of God to a dear old man.

Sadly most in the restaurant missed it, they were busy with their visits, smartphones and meals, but in the middle of it all God showed up.  Her name is Kristine.

"One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”  Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”  Mark 12