My youngest son and I recently returned from a trip to Walt Disney World. One morning during our trip, we had an unusual experience. While resting on a bench at Hollywood Studios, a young child with a heartwarming innocence slowly approached us and handed me two friendship bead bracelets. It was a spontaneous and surprising gift, a gesture of kindness. The mother’s reassuring words and smile signaled I could accept this precious offering. I took the bracelets and thanked the child, marveling at the warmth behind such a simple act.
Yet, as I looked at the child, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of hair. I wondered if there was a medical condition at play. My mind went back to the days of chemotherapy with my late husband. The unknowns of this family’s journey and the possibility of hardships filled my thoughts and touched my heart. At that moment, all I could offer was a silent prayer.
After our brief encounter, the family wandered off. Later, as we roamed the park, we noticed the same child offering bracelets to someone else. The circle of kindness had expanded, bringing joy to yet another person.
As I look at the bracelets now, I’m reminded of the power of kindness, generosity, and grace. One bracelet has lettered beads that spell out “worth melting for.” The snowman, Olaf, speaks these words in Disney’s film Frozen when he says “Some people are worth melting for.” Thinking about this line reminds me of Christ’s sacrifice for us. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He thought we were worth melting for!
Families like the one we encountered that day transcend their own circumstances to offer gestures of hope to others. They are beacons of light in a dark world often overcrowded with negativity and cruelty. I encourage you to be a light shiner. Let’s show our thankfulness for God’s grace by sprinkling life’s moments with unexpected kindness.
