I’ve discovered I can best maintain my focus while writing in a public place. For the most part, everyone minds their own business and I’m able to lock in on the task at hand. I prefer casual shops—you know, the ones with overstuffed chairs squirreled away in little nooks and crannies. It’s an open invitation to dawdle. The clash of conversations common in a restaurant overlaid with the clattered chorus of clanking dishes and scooted chairs somehow comingle to produce an acoustic perfume…white noise.
However, last week as I sat pecking away on my laptop in such a shop, my attention was caught by a young mother and her tiny daughter as 
they entered the store and moved toward the counter. The little girl was cute-as-Christmas…think Shirley Temple or Curly Sue without the curls. I smiled to myself and returned to my writing.
But soon my attention was again redirected when the little girl appeared at the table across from mine and called back to her mother, “Will this one be okay?” Captured by her miniature charm, I lost interest in my writing and watched as she brushed away at imaginary clutter although barely able to reach up and over the edge of the table. Enamored, I continued watching out of the corner of my eye. Using careful diction and a grown up’s vocabulary, she quietly spoke to herself, “I believe this will be the perfect place for mom and me. I’ll just sit right here while mom gets our food.” Smiling at no one in particular, she continued to brush away at invisible clutter, carefully preparing the table she was proud to have chosen.
In a matter of moments, mother joined daughter and I returned to my work…but only briefly. No sooner had the two settled into their lunch, a teenage boy rushed past our tables saying over his shoulder, “I’ll be right back with the money, I live right across the street!” Obviously the young man had made the same mistake I’ve often made—left home without enough cash.
I consider myself an astute observer, a quick study of situations and people, but it never occurred to me to intercede on the young man’s behalf. However, without forethought, the young mother reached out and tapped the teen as he raced by, “Don’t go all the way home, how much do you need?” “I’m two dollars short,” he spoke softly. Without hesitating she said, “I have two dollars. Here, don’t run home.” As quickly as she offered, he gratefully accepted and returned to the cashier. She and her daughter returned to their lunch. The young man smiled and thanked her again on his way out.
The whole exchange happened so quickly and flowed so naturally I reasoned they must know each other. Surely they were neighbors or relatives, or…
My curiosity got the best of me and before I realized I was saying it aloud, I spoke. “Miss. Excuse me, miss?” She looked up. “Did you know that young man?” I asked.
“No,” she replied. That was it…that was all she said. I fumbled for words and finally said, “That was a fine thing you just did.” She smiled and said “thanks” and returned to her lunch.
I was struck by her quick thinking kindness. We commonly refer to an instance like this as ‘paying it forward’ or ‘a random act of kindness’, but what she did was special. She never said anything about loaning him the money or asked if he intended to pay her back. She simply said, “I have two dollars,” and handed it to him. The fact it was only two dollars is irrelevant. What is relevant is how she, unlike me and every other person in the restaurant, entered into that young man’s dilemma without hesitation. It was as though it was an everyday occurrence for her. It humbled me. I considered myself in the company of someone special.
That young mother’s kindness reminded me of Jesus’ unhesitating love. Jesus bore the cross without hesitation—never considering the personal ramifications and never stopping to consider if we would respond appropriately. Rather, out of unconditional love, He paid the price for our salvation. Romans 5:8 tells us, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The fact that Jesus willingly died on our behalf, not demanding anything in return, remains history’s greatest act of kindness. Have a blessed week, RG
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.