Unexpected Kindnesses

The phone rang yesterday morning; and after glancing at the caller id, I decided to answer it.  You may or may not know this about me; but if I don't recognize the number, there is an extremely low probability that I'll pick up the phone.  Most of the time, I'll let the machine get it and figure that, if it's really important, the person calling can leave a message and I'll return it.

But yesterday, I answered.  I could tell that it was a local number and, judging from the last name on the caller ID screen, a Mennonite (although whether the caller drives a car or a horse and buggy, I couldn't tell; but I'd guess the lady wears a head covering of some sort).  I didn't mind interrupting my tasks for that call.  :)

"Hello," said the lady on the line, "This is Martha Knicely.  Is this Davene who led a song at the Harmonia Sacra sing?  Are you Dr. Huffman's daughter?"  When I affirmed that I was, she began by saying that she doesn't know me but then went on to say that she just wanted me to know how much she appreciated the song I chose to lead--how it was a new one for her but how she has enjoyed singing it since that night.  She wondered if I always sang soprano; and when I told her that no, I almost always sang alto, she said how great it was that I could sing harmony because that was hard for her.  We talked about round notes and shaped notes and the process of learning to sing.  We talked about the high school I went to and the music I learned there.  We talked about the men's choir my son and dad are in and how my son is having to sing a song with shaped notes.  As we chatted, I kept wondering if there was going to be more to the conversation; was she going to ask something of me?  But before too long, she wrapped it up by saying that she just wanted me to know that she appreciated me leading that song, and that was all.

What a bright spot on a Monday morning!  How thoughtful of her to make the effort to call me, just to express some gratitude!  How encouraging that a month and a week after the event, she was still thinking about how meaningful the Harmonia Sacra singing had been!  My smile brightened and my feet were a little lighter as I continued making my way through Monday's tasks after her unexpected and very kind call.

********

Later that day, a couple of hours before the kids' rehearsals with the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir, Josiah announced that he would like to write a thank-you note to his director, Mrs. Hostetter, and what's more, that he would like to give her some flowers.  He knew it was last-minute but wondered if we could somehow make it happen on that day.

The thank-you note was easy enough.  I pulled out a box of thank-you cards and let him choose one, which he then proceeded to write a very nice note on; but I wasn't exactly sure how getting flowers would fit into the day's schedule which was already extra full because of the various times the kids needed to be at their respective classes.  I didn't want to say no to such a thoughtful gesture, however, so after thinking it through, I figured out how we could make it happen: I would pick up the flowers and bring them to Josiah before his rehearsal so he could give them to his director.  He agreed, handed me the money for the flowers, and thanked me for finding a way to do this.

Well of course I wanted to find a way to do it!  To have a 13-year-old young man be that kind and considerate meant that, even if it was unexpected, it was worth going to a little extra effort to bring it about!  I was so encouraged by Josiah's heart to do that...and the note and flowers weren't even for me - ha!  ;-)  Josiah's example pricked my heart and caused me to look around and ask myself if I could find a way to show unexpected kindness to someone.

********

Later that night, I looked out the window during one of the times that I was awake (I was awake A LOT in the night, due to many interruptions), and I discovered that God was showing me an unexpected kindness.  He caused it to snow.  :)  My very favorite thing to discover when I peek out of a window at night is that it's snowing, and last night I mentally oohed and aahed over the beauty that was descending upon the earth.  What a gift!

The snow didn't stick around long today; but before it completely melted, I snapped a few pictures of it from the windows of Benjamin's room.  I was pretty distracted though.  This happy guy kept stealing my attention away from the scenery outside.  Little thief!  ;-)

Benjamin has had such a time with dry skin, and I'm sure the winter air isn't helping anything.

I feel so bad for him, but he doesn't seem to be too bothered by it.  :)

Well, now that those pictures of him are out of the way, I can get back to my main point.  :)  The events of a Monday in February reminded me of a simple truth...

LOVE IS KIND.

And sometimes, it's completely unexpected, too!  :)