Random Acts Of Kindness

A young man’s reaction to unexpected kindness from a stranger will melt your heart. He had no idea what was about to happen, but the look on his face clearly shows that he absolutely loved it. Watch the short but unbelievably sweet clip to see what the stranger did and how the young man responded.

Several things in this world will forever and always be in short supply. For starters, time is our most precious and invaluable commodity. It is constantly fleeting and disappearing. Once gone, not one second or minute can ever be recovered. We can never have too much time, and whenever you lose a loved one, you quickly and sadly realize this to be all too true.

On a much happier and upbeat note, kindness is another thing that we can never have enough of. While there are many kind and caring people in the world, there is and always will be room for more. A clip posted on YouTube captures one of these unexpected acts of kindness and how it made a young man’s day, possibly his week and entire month.

In the video, it’s explained that a young man, Bleu, has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. The child was celebrating his birthday at an ice rink, and he told someone how much he would love to go out on the ice and skate around. Well, a stranger overheard the young man expressing his desire to go out on the ice, and that’s when something unexpected but unbelievably heartwarming and touching happened.

Instead of listening and forgetting about the child’s comments, a stranger asked to take Bleu out on the ice. The clip captures the moment when the young man is taken out onto the ice and the pure joy and happiness on the youngster’s face.

His reaction is enough to cause even the most stoic, unemotional person to shed a tear or two.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

A hardworking man who walks miles to his two full-time jobs was unexpectedly shown kindness and love. The beautiful, heartwarming story will cause you to wipe away a tear or two. Watch this short but powerful clip about how a little bit of kindness, care and consideration can go a long way.

How difficult is it to exhibit a little concern and kindness? It doesn’t require any special gift, talent, skill or even much time. Honestly, all that is really necessary is to spot a need and then care enough about the well-being of another to act. That’s it, and it’s something that everyone can do, regardless of their age or stage in life.

Christians are called to care for and look after others. While many people would rather go about their day and keep their heads down to avoid making eye contact with someone in need, Jesus says we are to act otherwise. When asked to name the greatest commandments, Christ answered that one of them was to love your neighbor as yourself. This would include helping others in need. Showing Christ-like love and kindness is precisely what some people did for one man in need.

The clip posted on YouTube tells the story of Rodolfo Depaz. Rodolfo has two full-time jobs—at Dairy Queen and Chipotle—and regularly works 80 hours a week. He gets to work by walking several miles a day - rain, shine or snow. He sends the money he earns back to his wife and two children in El Salvador.

Because Rodolfo sends money back to make a better life for his family, he does not have enough for a set of wheels, so he walks to work every day. That is, until one of Rodolfo’s co-workers, Emily, invited him to her house for dinner with her family. He became part of the family, enjoying weekends and holidays with them.

Emily’s father then asked Rodolfo to join his men’s Bible study group. Soon after joining the group, one of the members surprised him by giving him a car. Rodolfo no longer has to walk to work, and he’s eternally grateful for that, mentioning how the Lord has answered his prayers.

“Just said, ‘Thank God, you listen to me in my prayers every day,’” Rodolfo said.

John 13:34 “I give you a new law: Have love for one another; even as I have had love for you, so are you to have love one for another.”

This school bus driver found an unexpected way to ease nervous students. He knew the students would be experiencing first-day jitters and did what he could to help. Watch the short and sweet video to hear what the school bus driver did to provide some comic relief.

Everyone loves some form of comedy and to laugh, and that is an undeniable fact. Have you ever met anyone who hates laughing and all things funny? I know I haven't, and I certainly hope you haven't either. That would be one miserable individual, and getting away from them as quickly as possible would be best.

Laughter and all things funny are powerful. They can and do bring us together. Is there anything better than sharing a laugh with someone? Also, at least temporarily, laughter can ease our pain and alleviate fears. In a clip posted on YouTube, a school bus driver used comedy and laughter to help lessen the first-day jitters and nerves he knew a lot of students would be experiencing.

Lucas Champion, a school bus driver, was listening to music when he heard a classic, beloved rock song, ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man," when he got an idea. He started rifling through his closet and pulled out his tuxedo from 2016. He decided that would be his outfit for the next day, the first day of the new school year.

So, why did the bus driver unexpectedly wear formal attire as he picked up the kids for school the next morning? As the video explains, Lucas wanted all the kids on his bus to board with smiles on their faces. He understood how the first day of school, especially for children, can be a bit daunting and overwhelming, so he did what he could to help put them at ease.

The video also points out that Lucas may make wearing a tuxedo on the first day of school an annual tradition.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you."

A sweet bond exists between a group of high school runners and a woman nicknamed the "popsicle lady." It's an unexpected connection, but one that is sure to bring a tear or two to your eye. Watch the short but tear-jerking video to hear why the connection between the runners and the woman is so special.

Although most people do not consider exercising particularly enjoyable, getting a certain amount of activity daily remains necessary for everyone. Even avid runners don't actually love running; they enjoy the feeling that comes after the run: the endorphins and sense of accomplishment.

Nevertheless, people still run all the time. There are entire sports where all the participants do is run, such as track and field events and cross country. Sadly, unlike other sports, the athletes in those sports do not get nearly as much fanfare as basketball, baseball or football. However, in a clip posted on YouTube, one woman shows a group of young runners appreciation and attention for their efforts in a unique and sweet way.

While training, a group of high school cross-country runners in Minnesota has a favorite route. It's the one that takes them by Sandy Bass's house, or the popsicle lady, as the young runners call her. That's because she treats all of them to a delicious frozen treat every time they come by her house. As the video points out, this has been happening for over a decade.

The kids absolutely love stopping by Sandy's house for a momentary break from a long run. For Sandy, it's about much more than handing out popsicles to youngsters. Sadly, Sandy's husband, Tim, died in April.

"When the kids started coming and ringing the doorbell and gave me a reason to get dressed, maybe some days," she said. "You'll probably get me crying now. It's everything."

What a beautiful story about a woman showing kindness to others, but who says she is getting much more in return.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you."

Strangers united to give a homeless woman and her pup a place to call home. Many people worked together to give this woman, who was previously living on the streets, a place to stay. Watch the short but heartwarming video to learn how and why strangers decided to help this woman and her dog.

No one’s life is perfect, as everyone has their fair share of problems and issues. However, if we were to take a step back and look at our lives and our situation from the outside, we would likely quickly conclude that we are incredibly blessed. Everything may not be exactly as we’d like, but we are blessed and fortunate.

Sadly, many people in this world are really hurting and struggling. Getting through the day may be a big win for someone scratching and crawling simply to survive. There are people who, for one reason or another, don’t have a warm or safe place to lay their head at night. A clip posted on YouTube tells of a woman and her dog who did not have that, and how hundreds of people came through in a big way to help them.

Velvet Berlin and her 15-year-old dog, Sissy, had been living on the streets for months. The clip mentions that Velvet had attempted to go to a shelter for warmth and a place to sleep, but those efforts were unsuccessful. They refused to take her in because of her dog.

“I can’t rid of her,” Velvet said. “She’ll die of a broken heart and abandonment.”

That’s when hundreds of people stepped in to help Velvet and Sissy. A business owner started a fundraiser to raise funds for the two. The donations began quickly rolling into the fund. More than 1,500 donations have been made, totaling more than $64,000.

Because of the love and generosity of others, the two now have a home, which Velvet is renting.
What a remarkable story about how people, when working together, can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Philippians 2:4 “Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others.”

A bride-to-be received marriage advice from the most unexpected place. The woman had no idea so many people would be willing to offer her help with her impending marriage. Watch the short but powerful clip to see where and how this young woman received marriage advice.

Traveling is not particularly enjoyable, especially on a plane. The person who coined the phrase “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” had apparently never flown internationally, where the flight is 10 to 11 hours. There is little to do on a flight. Typically, the best you can hope for is to get some shuteye or read a chapter or two while the person sitting beside you awkwardly tries several times to strike up a conversation.

Flying, while often the quickest, most efficient and, depending on the destination, the only way to travel, isn’t an experience anyone looks forward to with joy. We often just try to grin and bear it as we anxiously wait for the plane to land at our destination. However, a clip posted on social media shows one woman had a very different, unusual flying experience.

The video begins with a woman in her seat on a Southwest Airlines flight flipping through a stack of napkins. On those napkins are messages and advice from her fellow passengers on marriage. The text in the video explains that the woman was on her bachelorette trip when one of the flight attendants told the entire plane that she was about to tie the knot.

So, to help her out, the passengers jotted down what they thought the woman needed to know before saying, “I do.” What a sweet and thoughtful move from everyone involved. The bride-to-be also appreciated everyone’s kind gesture and words of wisdom.

In the video’s text, the woman added that the flight attendant “made my bachelorette trip and you deserve a raise.”

Genesis 2:24 “For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.”

One man's unexpected heartwarming act after he heard someone's bike was stolen will bring you to tears and momentarily restore your faith in humanity. It was likely that no one saw what was about to happen. Watch the short but powerful clip to witness the man's unbelievable act of kindness and love.

Kindness is in very short supply today. Ask anyone, and they will likely fully and completely agree with that statement. Far too many people have this dog-eat-dog mentality, where they are only concerned about themselves and couldn’t care else about anyone else. This selfish, uncaring, cold-hearted thinking is on full display nearly everywhere – social media, television news broadcasts, the workplace and in government.

While examples of people acting in a cruel and uncaring manner are plentiful, some still go out of their way to show others kindness and love. Gentle, caring and considerate people still exist, but their efforts don't get nearly enough attention. A clip posted on YouTube shows how one man responded when he learned that another person's bike had recently been stolen.

The video shows the inside of a restaurant and points out that a man's bike was stolen while he was enjoying his breakfast. What kind of person steals a bike? You have to be a special kind of evil to take someone else's bike or to steal anything, for that matter.

Well, while the man in the restaurant was the victim of a theft, little did he know he was about to be the recipient of a heartwarming, unbelievably kind and loving gesture. The video mentions that when someone in the restaurant heard about the bike theft, he went out and purchased a bike for the man, replacing the one that was stolen.

The kind gesture obviously meant a lot to the individual. After being presented with the bike, he turns to the camera and is all smiles!

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you."

A young business owner gave $1,000 to his church and thanked God for his success. This hardworking and entrepreneurial young man is thoroughly impressive, yet he remains humble and understands who is responsible for his success. Watch the short but powerful clip to learn about this young business owner and the tear-jerking thing he did to help out his church.

Everyone wants instant success, and with that highly desired, sought-after success, they hope a fair amount of money follows. Of course, that's not typically what happens. Most individuals don't simply wake up and are handed tons of cash. People who live in the real world understand that before success, a lot of hard work and dedication come first. That doesn't sound like much fun, right?

Children who learn and understand that hard work and dedication are necessary to achieve anything worthwhile will be much better off than their peers who have difficulty grasping this lesson. Parents who don't teach and show their youngsters this are only doing them a disservice. They will learn it one way or the other, eventually.

In a clip posted on YouTube, one young man, 12-year-old Quentin Hines Jr., knows all about hard work. He has his own business, which allows him to do something he absolutely loves: mowing lawns.

"I really, really love it," Quentin said. "I really love it."

The young man said his ultimate dream is to get a job mowing the lawn at one unexpected location.

"Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to get a contract with the Charlotte airport," he said. "And, like, sometimes when I go out there, they will have the mowers out there. So, I would like stand there for a while."

As the clip mentions, the young man's business is growing rapidly, and he's acquiring new customers at an impressive rate. But he's not keeping all his profits for himself. He gave $1,000 to his church to help it pay off its mortgage.

"When you put things into the world, it always finds a way to come back to you," he said.

Even with all of his success, the 12-year-old business owner understands who is ultimately responsible for it.

"It mostly feels like God really just opened a lot of opportunities for me," he said. "And He really just showed me that this is what He wants me to do on this Earth. I love it, and I will never stop, never."

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;"

A young man was spotted doing something truly unexpected and heartwarming. What the little guy did will have you brushing away tears from your eyes and restore your faith in humanity. Watch the short but oh so adorable clip to see the little boy’s precious move.

Generally, siblings do not get along well. At least while they are young children, siblings typically have a lot of animosity toward one another. Those little ones have the surprising (and incredibly annoying) ability to turn everything into a disagreement. Between siblings, the most minor, most insignificant thing can soon become a matter of life and death.

Those with two or more kids understand that anything and everything can become an annoyingly loud, ear-piercing disagreement. Take any situation, subject or object, and children can turn it into a shouting or shoving match. A lot of parenting, and many will also agree with this, involves acting as a referee, stepping into arguments and keeping them from one another.

So, any time siblings are halfway civil to one another, parents must cherish and hold onto those moments, those instances, especially when they are little, because they can be few and far between. A video posted on social media captures one of those precious moments between siblings. 

The clip starts with the little guy digging around in the kitchen. At first glance, it’s a bit unclear what he’s doing. Then, seconds later, it appears he’s making himself a bowl of cereal. 
However, the kitchen is not where he wants to enjoy his breakfast.

The camera is right behind the young man as he enters the hallway and unexpectedly ducks into a room. It turns out that the bowl of cereal was not for him at all. Instead, he made his baby sister, who is in her crib, breakfast in bed.

What an absolutely adorable moment!

1 John 4:20 “If a man says, ‘I have love for God,’ and has hate for his brother, his words are false: for how is the man who has no love for his brother whom he has seen, able to have love for God whom he has not seen?”

When the owner of a Wisconsin café fell ill and was hospitalized for months, a group of teens stepped up and ran the restaurant in her and her husband’s absence. The youngsters did anything and everything necessary to keep the business going. Watch the short but powerful clip to learn about this fantastic group of young men and women.

Opening a business is always risky and can be very costly. Sadly, as we all know, small businesses have a high failure rate. Of course, many factors play into a business's success or failure—demand or lack thereof for the business's goods or services, competition in the marketplace, the state of the national and local economy, the owner's business acumen and many others.

However, things can and do become increasingly more complicated for a business when the owner is unable to oversee the day-to-day operations. The number of unknowns and problems can multiply, making things exponentially more difficult for the business's survival. However, in a clip posted on YouTube, that was not the case thanks to a group of loving, devoted and caring young people who stepped up in a big way when a business owner fell ill.

Approximately 30 teenagers work at Urban Olive & Vine, a restaurant in Hudson, Wisconsin. The small business is owned by a husband and wife, Chad and Carol Trainor. When Carol suffered a seizure in the restaurant and was hospitalized for months, pulling both away from the restaurant, the teens took over the day-to-day operations of the business.

The video mentions that Chad said he did not have to ask any of the teenagers to do anything extra once. They just did it.

One of the teenagers began voluntarily arriving at 5:30 to start the day, and everyone else added to their responsibilities, taking on new and different jobs. They were doing what they had to keep the business thriving while Chad remained by Carol's side.

Sadly, Carol would eventually pass away.

With tears in her eyes, one young woman called the small business "a family."

"Without them, the restaurant would not exist," Chad said. "These kids became adults and ran our business and took care of me."

What an amazing group of young people.

Philippians 2:4 "Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others."

A kindhearted mailman comforted a woman during some difficult moments. The government worker showed her some unexpected kindness and love following a loss. Watch the short but powerful clip to see how the mailman comforted her during a heartbreaking situation.

We are often blessed in life with happy and joyous occasions worth celebrating and remembering. However, not every moment will make you want to jump for joy. Unfortunately, loss is a part of life. It’s an aspect that no one enjoys, but sadly, it’s inevitable, as is the hurt, heartache and sorrow that often accompany a loss.

For those who have experienced those deep, dark valleys, it’s one of the worst experiences imaginable—nothing to wish on your worst enemy. But even when we are hurting and in despair, the Lord is still in control and offers comfort and healing. He remains faithful and loving, never leaving our side as He walks through those deep, dark valleys with us.

In a clip posted on YouTube, a mailman is a beautiful, shining example of the type of love and comfort the Lord provides during our times of sorrow and despair. Sitting on her steps as the mailman approached, the woman had recently lost her beloved pet. The mailman was delivering her the animal’s ashes.

However, instead of simply handing her the package and continuing his route, he sits beside her.  He did not want to leave her while she was hurting and distraught. Soon after sitting down, the woman, overcome with emotion, leaned over and hugged the kind and loving mailman.
While the man did not say a word, what he did meant the world to that woman in her time of immense grief and pain.

“Thank you so much,” the woman says through tears and sniffles.

What a beautiful example of kindness, gentleness and love when someone needed it the most.

Psalm 23:4 “Yes, though I go through the valley of deep shade, I will have no fear of evil; for you are with me, your rod and your support are my comfort.”

A young runner slowed down to help a struggling competitor. The young man’s surprising and heartwarming act was an incredible show of sportsmanship. Watch the short but tear-jerking clip to see how one young runner stopped to help a fellow competitor who was having trouble finishing the race.

Most people love watching sports and would likely watch anything as long as there is some element of competition to it. Whether it be baseball, basketball or football, those teams have dedicated and rabid fan bases who want nothing more than to see their team come away with a victory. Who doesn’t want to see their favorite team win?

However, sadly, many people become so obsessed with and focused on winning that they see it as the only thing when it comes to sports, and they’ll do just about anything to win. Other things like fair play, sportsmanship and teamwork are quickly and forever lost. However, as a touching clip posted on social media shows, not everyone has forgotten about sportsmanship and kindness in sports and competition.

In the video, a race, which appears to be a 100-meter dash, has just begun. There are only four runners in the race, and three are off to a quick start, racing out in front, hoping to capture the victory.

However, at the back, viewers will spot one young man struggling. He is having a tough time moving down the track. Eventually, very early in the race, the young man stops on the track, exhausted, bent over with both hands on his knees. But instead of leaving him behind, one young man hangs back with the struggling runner.

The young man clearly encourages his fellow competitor and tries to motivate him to finish the race, which he does by the end of the video.

What an incredible act of sportsmanship and kindness!

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward? So, let your minds be fixed on the reward.”

A teen with a big heart has given athletes with disabilities a shot at experiencing baseball joy. The high school student’s heartwarming move has allowed others to have fun playing baseball, which may never have happened otherwise. Watch the short but tear-jerking video to hear about a special baseball league started by a teenager.

Most people love watching athletes compete against one another and cheering their team on to victory. Is there anything better than watching your team get a big W following a hard-fought, highly competitive game? What about playing the game yourself?

Sadly, some do not get that opportunity to step up to the plate and show others what they can do. Instead, they are relegated to the sidelines, where they must watch from the sidelines and only dream of what would happen if given the chance to play. A clip posted on YouTube tells of a young man and his father providing a group of special athletes with an opportunity to fulfill those athletic dreams.

As a high school freshman, Matthew McCauley came up with the Redondo Sunset Champions League idea. It’s a baseball league that gives anyone, regardless of their physical or mental challenges, the opportunity to play baseball.

Matthew was motivated by his desire to do something positive in the world.

“The big idea? Just to do some positive good,” Matthew said. “It was really gratifying, I’d say, just to see these kids play a sport that I love.”

While those who play in the league have enormous amounts of fun, Matthew added that he is the one who has been blessed.

“I’m thankful for having been able to do this,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see the players get better.”

What a tremendous way to show love and kindness to others. The league gives some athletes the opportunity to play baseball, which they may never have had if not for the league.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

A delivery driver had a sweet surprise for three kids running a lemonade stand, and his kindness warms hearts. It was an unexpected move and one that those children will surely remember well into the future. Watch the short but heartwarming clip to see what the delivery driver did that will likely have you brushing away a tear or two or three from your eyes.
 
Kindness and generosity are in short supply today. Turn on the evening news or log into Instagram, Facebook or any other popular social media platform, and you’ll soon discover this to be true. Many people seem able to inflict an incredible amount of hurt and pain on one another.
 
Yes, it seems that cruelty, brutality and apathy often reign supreme in society. Who cares what happens to someone else as long as I get mine, right?  However, that is not always correct. There are still kind, caring and loving people in the world. A clip posted on social media shows this is very much the case.
 
In the video, the delivery driver, who appears to work for UPS, exits his truck and walks up to a lemonade stand being run by three young ladies. Like every child who has ever operated a lemonade business, they are simply trying to quench their customers' thirst while also making a little bit of money in the process. However, the deliveryman is a bit surprised after asking about the going rate for a cup of their lemonade.
 
“Fifty cents, but you can have it for free,” one of the young ladies responds to the driver’s inquiry.
 
“What?” the man says, flabbergasted at the response.
 
He then proceeds to try their lemonade, commenting that their drink is delicious. But he does not simply get in his truck and drive away. Instead, he surprises each of them with a rather large tip, giving each girl $20.
 
What a wonderfully kind and unexpected gesture! Those three young ladies will likely remember that man’s kindness for years.
 
Proverbs 11:17 “The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.”

A group of kids brought joy to a woman’s day with a heartwarming surprise. The children took it upon themselves to do something nice for her. Watch the short but tear-jerking video to see what the kids did and why.

No one likes getting older and being reminded that they are aging, so most people don’t enjoy their birthdays. Some people may even avoid that particular day on the calendar like the plague and act as if that day does not even exist. What’s wrong with a calendar with one less day? There are still 364 others.

Anyway, as much as people may dislike their birthday, everyone enjoys feeling as if someone recognizes and appreciates them. Helping someone celebrate the day they entered the world is an excellent way to do just that. In a clip posted on social media, a group of youngsters did just that for a woman who lives in their neighborhood.

In the video, four children stand at a woman’s front door with a cake and a balloon. The kids are singing “Happy Birthday” as the woman opens the door to the four youngsters serenading her with the song everyone knows and loves. She is all smiles and is obviously touched by the children’s kind and loving gesture.

But this wasn’t just any birthday surprise.

The video's text makes it clear that the woman lives alone, and the kids wanted to do something to make her feel special and appreciated on her big day.

A cake, a balloon and a musical performance aren’t the world’s biggest, flashiest and most attention-grabbing things. However, the fact that those children knew and cared enough to think of her on her birthday will likely bring a tear or two to anyone’s eyes. What a beautiful gesture that likely meant the world to that woman.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

A community has come together to support an 80-year-old man still working to pay medical bills. The elderly gentleman continues to go to work because of a promise he made to his late wife. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear what the community did and why the man continues to work even though he’s past the age when most people retire.

Retirement is a lifelong goal for most people. That time when someone can kick back and relax and not have to worry about going to a 9-to-5 is a period many people dream about. When someone reaches the point where they no longer have to work, it is no wonder that they are often said to be in their “golden years.”

Sadly, though, not everyone can afford to retire. For one reason or another, a lot of people have to continue working even at an advanced age. However, someone in their 80s or 90s shouldn’t have to work. We were created for more than simply working until we drop dead. That’s exactly what one woman thought when she saw Gary Saling bagging groceries, and she decided to do something.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Gary explains that his wife Carol developed and later died from a form of dementia. However, he explains that he made a promise to her when she was sick: he would not put her in a nursing home but would instead keep her at their home. He turned to bagging groceries to help pay off the thousands in medical bills owed.

Duana Johnson saw the kind and gentle elderly man working at the supermarket and decided to do something.

“I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, ‘What’s this guy? Why’s this elderly man still here?’” she asked.

The woman who is the head of a ministry in her Utah town started a donation account at a bank on behalf of Gary.

“So, we started a fundraiser, and people have been messaging saying that they, they see him all the time,” she said. “And they really love him. He’s always nice. He’s always kind. He’s always, like, you know, greeting them and smiling.”

Philippians 2:4 “Not looking every to his private good, but keep in mind the things of others.”

A McDonald’s employee shows incredible kindness and is instantly rewarded in a way she never expected. Some stories are soft like sunrise. They slip in when you least expect them, wrapping themselves around your heart before you even realize you’re weeping. This one began with a humble question, a Happy Meal, and a woman in a McDonald’s uniform who just wanted to be kind.

She was working the window, the kind of everyday hero we don’t often notice—hair pulled back, shirt tucked in, wearing the grease and grace of a fast food shift. Maybe she’d had a hard morning. Maybe rent was due. Maybe her feet ached in shoes that had lost their cushion months ago. But still, she smiled.

When she walked out to the car to deliver one of the meals they had ordered, she expected to deliver it and walk back to her work. But then the question came, a bit sideways. “Could we borrow $10 for a Happy Meal?” the dad asked gently. Her eyebrows furrowed, unsure. Borrow money from her? At her job? But then—then she looked, really looked, and saw the sweetness in the family. The little one’s hopeful eyes were sitting in the backseat. Something softened. Without hesitation, she nodded and said, “I’ll buy it for you.”

Kindness is just like that: quiet, unassuming, and willing, with no questions and no judgment—just love.

She turned to walk away to cover the cost with her card. But then—she heard it: “Wait. Don’t go.” She paused, thinking maybe he wanted to change the order. Maybe he was embarrassed. Instead, he handed her a handful of cash. A total of $1,000. He looked her in the eye and said, “It was a test. We just wanted to see if someone would help.” And she passed.

Oh, how she passed—with flying colors of grace and compassion. Her hand trembled as she held the cash. Tears brimmed, but she blinked them back. Because sometimes the world surprises you, and when it does, you don’t want to miss a single second of it.

McDonald’s workers are paid decently, but we all know decently isn’t the same as “enough.” And yet, she was willing to give what little she had, simply to show love. It’s these moments that heal the world. The small, unseen decisions to be generous. The yes when it would’ve been easier to say no. The instinct to see people not for what they can give, but for who they are. She was willing to help, and what she received in return was a gift. She received hope. Kindness always comes back, always multiplies, and always matters. And sometimes it shows up in the form of nuggets and apple slices, with $1,000 in thank-you tucked quietly behind it.

Let’s be those people. The ones who see. The ones who stop. The ones who say yes. The ones who change the world, one small act at a time.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” Luke 6:38

What happened at this gas pump will restore your faith in humanity. The young woman could not believe the love and kindness someone had shown her and immediately turned to God to thank Him. Watch the short but moving clip to see the tear-jerking act of kindness and love.

The world is often a cold, cruel and lonely place. Most people possess a dog-eat-dog mentality and only care about themselves and no one else. We see this kind of thinking on display everywhere we look—from government leaders, in the workplace, on the news and on social media. For many people, it’s almost like other people and their needs are a hindrance and an obstacle to them. 

However, when we stop thinking about only ourselves and our well-being, and consider someone else, we can make a world of difference in their lives. A clip posted on YouTube shows an unexpected, heartwarming act of kindness and how it greatly impacted them and their situation.

In the video, a young woman stands at the front of her car, which is sitting next to a gas pump. She frantically counts her dollars and change, looking extremely worried, wondering how she will pay for the gas she desperately needs. As she does this, a second woman slowly and quietly comes up behind her and places the gas pump she was using into her car. Once she puts the pump in the young woman’s car, she turns away and leaves the scene. She did not stay around to be thanked or recognized for her good deed.

Once the young woman turns around and sees what has happened, she cannot believe it and looks around for the person who might have done it. 

But that is not all.

After her gas tank is full and she returns the handle to the correct pump, she breaks down in tears and immediately thanks the Lord for providing for her.

What a sweet and powerful moment that will likely bring a tear or two to your eyes.

Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

One nurse’s love and compassion shone through as she responded “yes” to a dying patient’s request. The woman’s ask was not small either, it was life-changing for everyone involved. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear the big request the woman battling cancer made of her nurse.

Life is not often fair or easy. Pain and hurt are very real parts of it, and they happen more often than we’d like to admit. At one point or another, everyone will experience these situations. Frequently, sickness and disease are big culprits and a significant source of much of the hurt and heartache in the world.

In a clip posted on YouTube, a woman who was suffering from terminal cancer made an unexpected and monumental request of her nurse. Trisha Summers, the mother of an 8-year-old son, asked her nurse if she would take and raise her son as her own after she passes away.

Trisha made the large request of the nurse, Tricia Seaman, soon after she walked into her room, before the nurse had even said a word to her. They were complete strangers to one another. 

“Before she even said anything, I just felt comfort,” Trisha said. “It was almost like someone put, like, a warm blanket on me.”

After talking it over with her family, Tricia agreed to the dying woman’s request to take in her son Wesley and raise him as her own, but she went even one step further. Tricia and her family brought Wesley and Trisha into their home so they could be together during her last days.

“They needed to be together,” Tricia said.

She also added that showing that type of love and compassion to others is “what we’re supposed to do, more than we’re asked.”

What a powerful, massive act of love, compassion and mercy!

It’s been 11 years since Tricia and her family took in Wesley, now 19. He’s in college with plans to study nursing.

1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all you do be done in love.”

One couple’s mission to help children has continued even after suffering a devastating loss. Even though they were hurting immensely, they knew others were still in need. Watch this short but powerful clip to hear about how one couple was able to keep going even when they were hurting terribly.

Life is not often a fair or fun experience. Hurt, pain and heartache have a way of finding all of us at one time or another. It is impossible to get out of this life without going through devastating and agonizing circumstances. Pain and sorrow are an unfortunate part of life.

A clip posted on YouTube tells of a family, Kari and Bill Cox, and their adopted children, many of whom have special needs. Kari and Bill obviously have a heart for children, particularly those with physical and mental disabilities. However, their mission to help and love children with special needs nearly came to an end following a devastating and unexpected loss.

The clip mentions that Kari and Bill adopted Maribeth, a high-functioning young woman with autism, 13 years ago from China. She went on to become the valedictorian of her high school class. Then, in 2021, as a senior at Marshall University, Maribeth was struck by a vehicle and died. Understandably, Kari and Bill were devastated by the loss and decided that they would never adopt another child.

“Why put yourself through that anymore?” Kari asked.

But then, while going through Maribeth’s things, Kari made a discovery that changed everything. A powerful, moving entry in one of Maribeth’s journals changed Kari’s outlook, even through her hurt and grief.

“God gave you what many may never have, a loving family that will always be there no matter what,” the entry said.

The clip mentions that after making that discovery in Maribeth’s journal, Kari and Bill have continued helping needy children. Since Maribeth’s tragic accident, they have taken in four more kids, for a total of 14 children.

“Their need was greater than my pain,” Kari said.

Wow! What an unbelievably powerful and moving statement. 

Romans 8:18 “I am of the opinion that there is no comparison between the pain of this present time and the glory which we will see in the future.”