The Kindness of Strangers

Today I was touched by the kindness of a stranger.  As many of you are aware I have a son who is serving a mission in Mississippi.  As part of that mission he is only allowed to write home once a week on Monday.  You can imagine how stressful it is for a mother to hear on the news that a Hurricane is heading right for the town of Waveland where he is currently serving.  I have been worried beyond belief about him.  As I sat last night watching the news of the hurricane my cell phone rang with a phone number that I did not recognize.  When I looked at the area code I realized that the call was coming in from Mississippi!  I jumped to answer it and on the other end of the line was the voice of a mother with her little baby crying in the background.  I had no idea who was calling me.  Then she began to speak, “Is this Dalton’s mother?”  “Yes!” I responded.  She went on to tell me that she had just had Dalton at her home to have dinner with her family.  She said that Dalton mentioned to her that he knew his mother would be worried about him and she could tell it was a concern to Dalton.  She said to me “I have a son of my own just a few years younger than Dalton and I knew that if it were my son I would hope someone would reach out to me tell me he is okay, so I am calling to let you know that Dalton is doing just fine.”

I cannot tell you the impact her call had on me.  First it was a huge relief to know that my son was okay.  But second, it was an amazing thing to know the kindness of this mother who recognized how worried another mother was at that moment, and she wanted to make it better for me.  What an angel she was to have done that. It took only a minute of her day but it made a world of difference to me.  Her kindness was truly humbling.  She then gave me her contact information so that I could call her as the hurricane progresses to get an update on if my son is doing okay. What a heaven send this woman was to me and my family!

I have a quote on my wall that reads:

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:  for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  (Hebrews 13:2)

That quote reminds me that we should always be mindful of others, even strangers that we haven’t met or gotten to know, because you may be touching the life of someone very special.  We just never know the impact that we can have on another person’s life.

My blog today is dedicated to that very special mother who reached out to touch the heart of another mother.   I hope that I can take her example into my life and make sure that I pay more attention to the kind things that I can do for another, even another that I may not even know.  May we all do better to be more mindful of strangers…today’s challenge is to find an opportunity to touch someone’s life just like this woman has touched my life.

Have a fantastic day everyone!

~Amy

10 Comments

  • Kim says:

    I am glad to hear your son is doing well. I believe sometimes we are prompted, moved, gut feeling to help someone out. I also believe in Karma and if you do something bad it comes 10 fold or if you do things good it comes to you 10 fold.

  • Stephanie Rogers says:

    There is a movie called The five people you meet in heaven. It is a interesting show that tells how a man who thinks he has not touch anyone’s life or accomplished anything has touch and transformed others lives.

  • Jose Estrada says:

    I have a brother on a mission in Spain myself and I care very deeply for him, I would do anything for him. I believe we are all brothers and sisters, we should treat everyone the same way that we would treat our own brother or sister, that is with love and care. You never know how much you care for someone until you actually show care for them, even if they are just strangers.
    My favorite scripture is the verse prior to the one you shared, HEB 13: 1, it reads; Let brotherly love continue. I love this scripture because with its simpleness it gives us a reminder to let that simple yet great love continue between us and our fellow beings.

  • Leslie Pearson says:

    Amy, That was wonderful! My son is in Ohio and I have recieved a few calls from the members there after Michael had been in there home and it is a wonderful and sweet feeling to know “angels” are watching over my son while he is also serving. I am happy that Dalton is out of harms way. Great to read your blog!

  • Chelsey Olenik says:

    Amy, thank you for this post, it was such a great reminder of how we are all brothers and sisters. And, I got choked up thinking about you worrying about sweet Dalton.

  • Kym says:

    So glad to see this post. I’m for sure not Dalton’s mom but he has been on my mind the past few days watching the news. What a sweet mother to reach out to you. We sure love that boy of yours.

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