by Sandy Kirby Quandt

It’s great to know we are loved, isn’t it? To know someone cares about us, wants to know how we feel, and how we are doing. It’s nice to have someone encourage us and stand in our corner, don’t you think?

Hopefully, we take the time to let those around us know we care about them, both by what we say and what we do. Showing concern and love to others can reach beyond the borders of our inner circles all the way out to people we’ve never met.

Two months ago Pilot and I took a four hour round trip steam locomotive ride through the Piney Woods of Texas. What fun! Seated across the aisle from us was a woman with her young grandson. The boy, dressed in his Tommy Train shirt and ball cap, was having himself a grand time, as was his grandmother.

That is … until the wind through the open window caught the toddler’s hat, and sent it flying out the window. Oh, my.

We were maybe halfway between our two stops when this disaster occurred. The poor little guy. He screamed and cried and pleaded to “go back” because his hat “fell down” over and over and over until he collapsed against his grandmother’s chest, exhausted from his crying.

Because we were aware of what happened, we sympathized. Others on the train did not. After the lady in front of us made a comment about the noise, I let her know what happened, and her tone changed to one of sympathy.

Isn’t it something how knowing the facts can change our perspective and our attitude?

When the train stopped at the depot where we would all enjoy our lunches before re-boarding for the return trip, a gentleman eagerly waited on the platform for his grandson and wife. He was there to pick them up, from their one way ride.

After Pilot and I ate, I noticed the frazzled grandmother. Her grandson was still asleep. This time in his grandfather’s arms. I told Pilot I needed to speak with the lady.

I’m sure the woman had no idea what I would say to her as she watched me approach. She may have even thought I’d make some judgemental comment. Who knows what she thought? I’m sure she wasn’t expecting me to tell her I was sorry the boy lost his hat, or how badly I felt, or that I thought she handled it all the best anyone could have.

When I told her I thought she “Did good,” she reached out with tears in her eyes, held onto my arm and said, “Thank you so much for that.”

That grandmother didn’t ask for my compassion. She never tried to explain her grandson’s actions to me. But it wasn’t hard for me to realize she loved her grandson very much, and hurt for his pain. This train ride was part of the little boy’s second birthday celebration.

The woman needed to hear a kind word, even if it did come from a stranger. And it didn’t take a whole lot of effort on my part to walk across the park and offer her my sympathy and a word of encouragement.

We know God loved us so much he allowed his son, Jesus, to come into this world as a baby and die as a condemned man for us. We know God loves and cares for us, but sometimes it’s nice to know other humans do as well.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. John 3:16-17 (TLB)

I wish you well,

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!