A Brush of Kindness

This Saturday I had a chance to join fellow parishioners at "A Brush of Kindness", an opportunity to paint a Habitat for Humanity home in Sanford. We were able to finish both the inside and outside painting of a whole house, with the help of over a dozen volunteers. It was my first chance to work with Annunciation folks, a gratifying way to share our time and (painting) talent with Linda, the deaf woman who owns the house and will move in soon.

Reflecting on the day this Sunday morning, it made me think of the many different ways we share "brushes of kindness" with people. I say brushes because so many of them go almost unnoticed ... they are like very small opportunities that come our way. Maybe a smile for someone, holding an open door or letting cars into our driving lane. Maybe sharing a meal or a recipe, or sharing time with a friend that needs us. Maybe delivering items for our Be An Angel effort at church, or sending a kind email to a coworker or making a call to a family member out of town. Today at early Mass one of our small group members brushed me with kindness when she told me she had made a recipe I shared for her circle ... that made me feel warm, seeing her great smile and enthusiasm. And it was literally a conversation that took seconds.

I pray today that each of us that share brushes of .kindness will know just how much those mean to the people who receive them, whether they are structured and planned, or spontaneous. Just in our own small group, I think of Jenny working at Hospice, Shay ministering to the sick, Mary so involved at church, Marty leading the Habitat effort ... and I know there are so many other activities that all of our members are likely involved in. We each have so many opportunities ... may we take advantage of them more and more, and especially those that seem small and unexpected. May we be a "brush of kindness" to someone today, and every day.