One Simple Act of Kindness

It’s a good thing I’ve had to search for topics to discuss here. This blog is about God’s provision in the face of hate. While God doesn’t need hate to be a good provider, hate needs God. And since we have either started to move away from outright hatred or we’ve stopped emphasizing it when it occurs, I’m going to take the opportunity to focus on God’s provision – period.

FOX News carried a story this last week about a 27 year-old woman who raised over $350,000 for a homeless former Marine. Of course some have disparaged the Marine, but that’s not our focus. Our focus is on that Marine’s act of selflessness that led to the story in the first place and the overwhelming reaction people have had to his situation.

For those who don’t know the story, Ms. McClure (our protagonist) ran out of gas on I-95 near Philadelphia and Mr. Bobbitt (our hero) retrieved enough gas for her to get to safety. According to McClure, Bobbitt approached her, instructed her to stay in her car with her doors locked, walked to the nearest gas station and used his last $20 to buy gas for her. McClure didn’t have money to repay him. McClure and her boyfriend then built a relationship with Bobbett that led to starting a “Gofundme.com” page targeting $10,000 to help the homeless Bobbett get back on his feet.

That’s where you come in. McClure/Bobbett’s page has raised over $350,000 to date with people adamantly donating well above the target, long after the page was closed. One could argue at this point that Bobbett and McClure along with dozens of good Samaritans embody the fruits of God’s Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23, NIV)

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once Bobbett realized the funding page well exceeded his own need, he didn’t stop there. Bobbett has made it perfectly clear he has no intention of keeping all the money; rather, he wants it redirected to others in need. You see, Bobbett’s gratitude aligns with another true scripture we find in Luke chapter 7, verses 41 through 47.

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (NIV)

You see, while this passage talks about forgiveness, it also applies to all the fruits of the Spirit. How easy would it be for Bobbett to “take the money and run.” I mean, he’s homeless and can’t guarantee when he’ll be warm or have his next meal. Isn’t there a little voice in all of us that wants to put the money away as a safety blanket? Instead, Bobbett wants to use only what he needs to find an apartment, get a used car, and get recertified as a paramedic so he can get back to work. The rest he wants to donate to other worthy charities helping homeless get back on their feet. Bobbett wants to repay kindness with kindness – not greed.

And how about McClure? How easy would it have been for her to go about her day and say, “God bless that man” but do nothing in return? Seriously, how many of us would have stopped at the prayer? Instead, McClure was so moved she returned with food, clothes and $350,000 in return for Bobbett’s simple act of kindness.

That’s the love of God.

So in the days following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Week, remember the simple kind act of former Marine Johnny Bobbett Jr., the physical response and return of kindness of Kate McClure, and the overwhelming outpouring of kindness from everyday Americans.

That’s the love of God.

That’s God’s provision.

(Photo courtesy of FOX News and AP)