Goethe said, "Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together."
But I was not thinking about the golden chain of kindness one day when a
dilapidated automobile, possibly kept together with bandages and wire, parked in
front of my house. During those years, we lived in a small town just across the
street from our church, and travelers in need constantly found their way to my
home.
I was growing weary of helping the numerous people who stopped by weekly. I was
frequently awakened in the middle of an otherwise good night's sleep, to get out
in the cold and help someone passing through. Once our property was vandalized;
once I drove through a blizzard in order to get two people to safety; many times
I felt taken for granted by penniless motorists or hitchhikers who did not thank
me for the help they received and complained that I didn't do more. I hadn't
felt a part of a golden chain of kindness for awhile and, though I still offered
assistance where I could, sometimes I inwardly wished they would just go away.
A young man with a week-old beard climbed from the car in front of my home. He
had no money and no food. He asked if I had some work for him and I offered to
help get him gasoline and a meal. I told him that if he wanted a to work, we'd
be pleased if he'd cut the grass.
Though sweaty and hungry, he worked hard. Because of the afternoon heat, I
expected him to give up before the job was completed. But he persisted and,
after a long while, he sat wearily down in the shade. I thanked him for his work
and gave him the money he needed. Then I offered him a little extra money for a
task particularly well done, but he refused. "No sank you," he said in heavily
accented speech. I insisted that he take the money but he stood up and once
again said, "No sank you. I want to work. Joo keep the money." I tried again and
for a third time he protested, shaking his head as he walked away.
I never saw him again. I'm sure I never will. And interestingly, he probably
thinks I helped him out that day. But that is not the way it was. I didn't help
him, he helped me. He helped me to believe in people again. He helped me to once
again WANT to do something for those who are in need. I wish I could thank him
for restoring my faith in in basic goodness of others and for giving me back the
optimism I had lost somewhere along the way. Because of him I once again saw
that golden chain of kindness that binds us to one another.
I know I can't thank him, but I can learn from him.
Every great religion and every society teaches the value of kindness. I used to
think that being kind was something I could do for others. But now I know that
it is something that I also do for myself. It restores my soul.
© 2001 Steve Goodier
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