In his
book, Uncensored Grace, Pastor Jud
Wilhite shares the story of a church member named Cody Huff. Before Cody became
a member at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, he was sleeping in an open
field next to the church. But at one time Cody was making loads of money as a
famous bass pro fisherman who had even been featured on ESPN. Yet he couldn't
overcome his problem with drugs. He began a crack addiction that led him to smoke
up $600,000 worth of savings, his house, his Harley, his new boat. He smoked
away everything he had and ended up homeless. A man who had eaten at fine
restaurants and interacted with celebrities had bottomed out and was now
homeless.
But God
would turn his life around—and it all started with the kindness of a church
volunteer. Some people from the church's homeless ministry were handing out
sandwiches in the park where Cody slept, and they told him he could get a
shower at Central Christian Church. The last place Cody wanted to go was a
church, but he hadn't bathed in so long that even other homeless men couldn't
stand his smell anymore. Cody explained what happened next:
“I walked
into the church, and this lady named Michelle, who knew me from the homeless
ministry, said, "Good morning, Cody. How are you?" Then she looked at
me, and she said, “Cody, you need a hug.” And I said, “Honey, you don't want to
touch me because I haven't had a shower in 3 months.” If Michelle heard me, she
didn't seem to care. She walked up, and she looked in my eyes, and she gave me
a big hug and told me that Jesus loved me. In that split second, I was
somebody. She even remembered my name. That was the point where I knew that God
was alive in this world.”
Over the
next several weeks, Cody's life began to be restored. He gave his life to
Christ. He started leading a Bible study in the park for other homeless people.
“That was over 3 years ago,” Jud says. “Now he's married, and he and his wife
serve faithfully in our homeless ministry every weekend. He has his own
business. From ashes, God has raised him up to use him as an instrument.” But
his involvement in ministry all started with the warm embrace from one of the
church's greeters.[1]
Just think
how that simple act of kindness broke through a hard heart and began an
invasion of God’s grace. A little kindness goes a long way. Mercy is the
deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind
to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.” Moreover, Jesus said, “God . . . is kind even to people who are
ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy (Luke 6:35-36).”
How kind
are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something
kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table,
prepared the coffee—without being asked? Think about your school or workplace.
Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy
employee? Maybe he doesn't speak the language. Maybe she doesn't fit in. Are
you kind to this person?
Kindness
braids mercy and grace, humility and gentleness all together. Kindness gives
grace, requires humility, and asks that we think of others before ourselves. Ever
notice that kindness is most appreciated when life has gone sideways? When you’re
having “one of those days.” Remember 1 Corinthians 13:4—“Love is kind.” Look
for ways today to give ordinary kindness, and you’ll find there’s nothing
ordinary about it.[2]
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