Surprised by Joy.

Surprised by Joy? Well, to be honest the title ought to be, 'Surprised by Kindness', but being a C.S. Lewis fan, I couldn't help but put the former.

You see, after an afternoon of Christmas shopping (of all things!) I came to wonder if anyone in the world actually wears a smile anymore. That said, I can be quite a grumpy creature, and to be sure, there are many days that if you were to be a 'fly on the wall' in my home you'd behold me wearing a grumpy countenance too, so I was very willing to give much grace to my fellow shoppers! Nonetheless, underneath my grouchy exterior is a heart that is content and at peace, and yet walking amidst the Christmas shoppers I struggled to find anyone with a smile or a sparkle in their eyes.

Back at home I wondered if perhaps everyone was just having a 'bad day' and maybe the next day should I have bumped into them all again they would be beaming back at me or perhaps it's just Christmas shopping that causes a frown to appear everywhere I look. I began to wonder when the last time was that someone showed kindness to those weary souls. Not just out of selfish motives, or because some reciprocation was to be had. But, kindness that would have cost the giver something, though they had nought to gain by such an act. My heart was grieved to think of the many people who have no relatives close by, no friend in their own home, the lonely widow, a mourning husband, no one to say a friendly word, no one to make them a hot cup of tea or greet them in the morning with a warm embrace. Oh, what a stranger's kindness might do for those dear souls when they least expect it.

For I've been surprised by the kindness of people these past few months, both that of real life, flesh and blood friends and of those I only know through the written word. Kindness that cost something, either time, money or some sort of effort that they could have quite easily decided against doing, knowing full well they would get nothing in return, they were not seeking anything in return anyway. What I'm trying to say is that they didn't have to be kind, I would have been none the wiser had the thought of kindness remained just that and not turned into action, and yet they made the choice to act and in doing so chose kindness. Kindness that has left me deeply moved and thankful.

And so as I thought of the kindness shown me, my mind returned to those not so jolly Christmas shoppers who carry goodness knows what scars, worries and fears around with them as they trundle from shop to shop. Weary with walking, perhaps weary with life, needing a little kindness shown to them. I can't help but be reminded of the Good Samaritan. The stranger. The one that showed kindness and had nothing to gain himself, but with compassion in his heart bestowed the greatest sort of kindness and possibly the hardest. What a beautiful story that is.

How thankful I am for those dear people who have shown kindness to me recently, and thankful for the Kindest of all who gave His life. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

I really should have given this post the title, 'Surprised by Kindness', but I think 'Surprised by Joy' does actually fit, for joy is what kindness grows in me when I receive it and when I give it.

Surprised by kindness. Surprised by joy.

The Good Samaritan.
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606, Leiden – 1669, Amsterdam)