#ElevatedFriday, April 20th, 2018

Happy #ElevatedFriday! Today we highlight a story of a man who stepped up to help a mother in need of assistance. Jessica Rudeen was flying alone with her 4-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter and was struggling to attend to both of their needs at the same time. After being seated on the plane, both children began to act up – as children often do! Unable to both breastfeed her youngest and entertain her oldest, Rudeen became very anxious over what would happen during the flight. Fortunately, a man named Todd was seated next to her. For the duration of the flight, Todd gave his time and energy to entertain Rudeen’s daughter so she could feed her son. Rudeen said, “During the flight, he colored and watched a movie with Caroline, he engaged in conversation and showed her all the things outside. By the end of the flight, he was Caroline’s best friend.” After that flight, they quickly realized they would be on the same connecting flight home – they were from the same town! Todd stuck with Jessica and her family until they touched down in their hometown of Wilmington, NC. Of Todd’s actions, Jessica said, “This guy, Todd, showed me kindness and compassion that I’ve never known from another person. His wife, he said, had a similar experience when their two boys were young and a stranger showed her the same kindness. I am blown away by God’s hand in this because we could have been placed next to anyone, but we were seated next to the one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life.” The Rudeen’s and Todd’s family are planning to get together soon so they can pursue a new friendship.

We all have countless interactions with other people everyday, but the truth is, the vast majority of people we see on a daily basis we never utter a single word to, let alone give a second thought! But all around us, everyday, there are people starving for kindness and just a little help. The Apostle Peter wrote, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” But is it enough to just be ready to talk about why you have faith in Jesus? If we combine Peter’s writing with John’s famous statement, “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth,” we find that, like Jesus, we should always be prepared to do good – not just speak good! We must believe that there is no limit to our capacity for kindness when we are following Jesus. Today, find a way to show kindness to someone and allow it to become a part of your daily responsibilities.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” – 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18 NIV

Original Article:

https://bit.ly/2HIL8BB