“You have a calm spirit.”

This statement stuck with me for two days after my coworker stopped, pivoted on her heel, and spoke it over me at work. She asked me if I ever thought of being a therapist - I am easy to talk to, she shared, I bring peace to a conversation. This is not the first time I’ve heard this, but there was something about that first sentence that really struck me wonderfully.

She did not have to stop and say that. I’m grateful there was a prompting in her heart to say something, and more grateful she acted on it – in that moment I felt like God was winking in my direction. One statement made a big difference to my day, and then something else happened that felt too much like a pattern to be coincidence.

The next day I answered a social media message for a church organization, mistaking the denomination and asking for info about one completely separate and unfamiliar. I could have dismissed this message (and I started to), saying “sorry, that’s not us,” but caught myself. How hard would it be to research a link for this person? Some of us would probably scoff and think they could have just Googled this name and gotten what they wanted instead of badgering an organization about it. And many would blow it off. But I remembered that we humans are not placed on earth to interact with and rely on Google, AI, smartphones & computers. We were made for each other. For relationships. For connection with God and with neighbor. What’s easy for someone my age to find digitally could be completely abstract to this man, asking a favor. So, I completed the simple Google search, got him a link, and wished him well.

“This is exactly what I was looking for,” he said, “Thanks for being such a friend in Christ.”

This statement struck me the same as hearing about my demeanor. He didn’t have a clue who I was - it was suddenly my privilege to be representing the organization and exemplifying Christ on their behalf. This result was nothing more than inconveniencing myself for two seconds to provide one small service for a brother. I replied, “Have a blessed day, friend.”

I will likely never message this man again. But today, we are friends.

Proverbs 11:25 says, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Refreshing someone else's spirit often creates a powerful, positive impact on both the giver and the receiver. Galatians 6:9 reminds us that steady, persistent kindness compounds into great blessings over time: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

It took no effort for my coworker to say a few words of encouragement. It took no effort for me to search a weblink for a church denomination. But it took action. Even on our worst days, by acting on a nudge of the Holy Spirit, can we bless abundantly the world around us. In our own strength, we can’t always be kind – there will always be too much distraction, stress, ignorance, or unawareness. But by partnering with the Lord, by moving in selfless sacrifice and responding, even when small, we honor Him.

More importantly than receiving all the benefits of being kind and good, pursuing one small service to others has lasting impact in the Kingdom. Not only do we reap the benefit, but we speak life into others. We change the day. We spread love. By loving on others, we love on God.  

In a world where most people ignore each other, keep their eyes glued to screens, and refuse to speak positively…

Let's be friends.