Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Earlier this week I read a story that showed real
kindness. As you read the story think about a way you can show kindness not
only today but every day.
If you had to choose one word to describe Kevin, it might
be "slow." Kevin didn't learn his ABCs as fast as other kids. He
never came in first in the schoolyard races. However, Kevin had a special
rapport with people. His bright smile and big heart won him plenty of friends.
When Kevin discovered that the pastor at his church,
Randy Jessen, was putting together a boys basketball team, his mother let him
participate. And soon basketball became a center of Kevin's life. He worked
hard at practice. While the other boys practiced dribbling and lay-ups, Kevin
shot baskets. He had a special spot near the free throw line. He threw and
threw the ball, and it occasionally went in! When that happened, Kevin raised
his arms and shouted, "Look at me, Coach!"
The day before their first game, Coach Randy gave each
player a bright red jersey. Kevin was number 12. He scrambled himself into the
sleeves and wore that jersey almost every day. One Sunday morning, the church
service was interrupted by Kevin's excited voice. "Look, Coach!" He
lifted his gray wool sweater to reveal the red jersey underneath with number 12
on the front. Nobody minded the interruption; the church knew Kevin and loved
him.
I'd like to be able to tell you that the team did well.
Actually, they never won a game that season -- except for the night it snowed
and the other team never showed up. At the end of the season, the boys played
in the church league's tournament. As the last-place team, they drew the
unfortunate spot of playing against the first-place team -- boys who had never
lost a game all year.
The game went as expected, and near the end of the fourth
quarter Kevin's team stood nearly 30 points behind. It was then that one of the
boys called timeout. "Coach," he said, "this is our last game and
Kevin's never made a basket. I think we should let him make a basket." The
team agreed. Kevin was instructed to stand at his special place near the free
throw line and wait. He was told that when he was given the ball, he should
shoot.
Kevin was ecstatic. He ran to the floor and waited. When
the ball was passed to him he shot -- and missed. Number 17 from the other team
snatched the rebound, dribbled down the court for an easy lay-up. But a moment
later Kevin got the ball again. He shot -- and missed. Number 17 repeated his
performance for another two points. Kevin shot a third and fourth time with the
same result.
But then the other team seemed to figure out what was
going on and the next time they snatched the rebound, they threw it to Kevin!
Kevin shot...and missed. But now every rebound came to him and he threw and
threw toward the basket.
BOTH teams had circled Kevin by this time and all of the
boys were shouting, "Kevin! Kevin!" The crowd took up the chant. Soon
everyone in the gym was shouting for Kevin! Coach Randy was sure the game
should have been over by this time and he glanced at the clock. It was stopped
at 4.3 seconds! The timekeepers were standing by their table shouting with the
crowd, "Kevin! Kevin!" The world had stopped for Kevin. He shot and
shot and finally one of his shots took a crazy bounce on the rim and...went in!
Chaos reigned! Everyone stood and cheered as if one boy had single-handedly won
a world championship. Kevin's arms sprang up in the air and he shouted, "I
won! I won!" His team escorted him off the court, the clock ticked down
and the game was over.
That day an undefeated team retained their perfect
record. But everybody won. Everybody! Because everybody had participated in a
crazy conspiracy of kindness, a simple act of mercy, that was so compelling, so
powerful, that I'm sure all of heaven rejoiced!
How can you show kindness today?
Dear Lord, we pray that our eyes and hearts will be open
today so that we can see how and where we can show kindness. Let Your love show
through us today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment