Glimpses of God

I was flying home from a trip recently, and the thing that stood out to me was the kindness of strangers.

On one plane that I was on, there was a man sitting next to me, and on the other side of him a woman who spoke a different language.  She was trying to figure out how to watch a movie.  He, very patiently, walked her through the steps by pointing at the screen.  They found her language, and then he helped her get some headphones from the stewardess.

This flight happened to be incredibly delayed and by the time we landed everyone on board was rushing to make their connecting flights.  As we came off the plane there was a lot of commotion and everyone was rushing.  In the crowd and in the chaos I lost my footing and rolled my ankle.  Instantly, I knew it was hurt pretty badly.  A woman near me stopped and offered her hand to help me up and checked to make sure I was ok.

Once I made it onto my connecting flight, the stewardess brought me some ice for my foot.  The girl I was sitting next to took the time to ask if I was alright and if there was any way that she could help me.  As we exited the plane in Tulsa, she told me she hoped I would feel better and heal quickly.

All of these people were strangers.  They didn’t have to offer help or show compassion.  And yet, they did.  To me, and to others.

When we think about being formed by and in community, we might only think about the people we are connected to in our lives, but we are part of a larger community where we are invited to offer compassion and kindness to those we come in contact with throughout our day.

Whether it comes from my community that I interact with regularly or total strangers, when time is taken to pause and offer words of comfort or assistance, I see glimpses of God with me.  I too want to offer compassion and assistance to those I know and those I don’t.  May our interactions with others be a reminder that God is with us in all things.

~  Melissa