The Force of Kindness

“Kindness is a lovely force,” said author Anne O. Leavitt, “but it can only be powered by people. For all our magical gadgets, no appliance, instrument, apparatus, or device [can] extend kindness to another human being. That power is vested only in people.” 1

Kindness is a force propelled by people, and like waves in the ocean, acts of kindness are carried far beyond where the eye can see. “Kindness … opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.” 2 Because of one person’s kindness, generations can benefit.

I’m familiar with the story of a young man born nearly 100 years ago in a small farming community. His family was poor, and his father died young. To make ends meet, his mother spent long hours working as a seamstress at a factory in the city. Unnoticed by most, this young man spent his days playing pool in a billiard hall. One day, a kind man from the local church took notice of the drifting young man and approached him, asking if he might like to leave that little town and serve as a missionary. The young man responded that it would be impossible because he had no money. The older man persisted, and they agreed that if the funds could be raised, the young man would go. Within hours, the church congregation came together and raised the required money for the young man to serve.

The time spent in his missionary pursuits became life-changing, and the young man returned home a new man. He married, had children, and spent the remainder of his days living a happy and productive life. Generations have now benefited from the kind invitation of one person and the kind acts of many in the town’s church congregation so many years ago.

The force of kindness is powered by people for people. As we think back to past kindnesses that have helped us, we can still feel the power of those simple acts. And as we look to the future, we can know that our own kind acts, like waves in the ocean, travel far beyond our sight and bless generations to come.