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People felt special around him. They knew he really cared about them. During national tragic events from the Challenger Space Shuttle, Presidential assassinations to 911 Fred took on the difficult challenge of helping kids and their parents grapple with grief and loss.
You could see his compassion and feel his hurt for others. Fred took comfort during times of disaster by something his mother would tell him during times of loss. “Look for the helpers. You can always find people who are helping.”
In our humility we find the strength and the power to take care of one another.
Unfortunately, acts of kindness more often than not are small news stories that escape our notice. I wish it were not so. But we live in a world where social media saturation and negative controversy can win our attention. Gratefully, we do hear compassionate stories of healing and restoration.
Over the weekend I heard Natasha’s story about her life in Russia.One day Natasha’s dad left their family and never returned. Her mom was an alcoholic and would leave her daughters for days. Eight-year old Natasha and her five year old sister would go to the only neighbor who would let them stay with them and feed them.
Eventually other neighbors turned them into social services. Then one day as Natasha described it a big black car pulled up and took Natasha and her sister far away to an orphanage. There Natasha lived for eight years in a state run Russian orphanage with another 200 orphans in very squalid conditions. Her younger sister was placed in a foster home.
At one point with no dad, no mom and now no sister, Natasha felt deserted, isolated and lonely. She was often deeply depressed and would go to her dorm room and cry wondering if anyone cared for her and what would become of her. Because of her shyness Natasha most of her free time at the orphanage was spent doing homework and reading.
Then one day she was invited to go a Christian ministry center in a town called Kostromo not knowing what that was or where. Some of her friends were invited too so she went. It took two separate long bus rides to get there.
While there the Natasha met people who actually cared about her and listened to her whole story. The people at the center helped her by giving her a place of safety, acceptance and belonging. They provided an opportunity for Natasha to learn practical occupational skills for later in life.
Natasha was encouraged to go to the University for her education where she also learned English. She eventually became office manager of the ministry center and now eight years later she is the program coordinator.
Natasha’s life was forever changed all because there were compassionate helpers who were willing to love, listen and change a life. Just because acts of kindness are under the radar it doesn’t mean they don’t change the world.
We can all learn from Natasha’s story and others’stories. Whether it is heartache, fragility, vulnerability, breakability, weakness or disillusionment we can all offer simple acts of kindness and generosity.
Sometimes we need to hold someone without having to say a word. Sometimes we need to let ourselves be held by someone who tells us they care for us. Sometimes, more often than not, we need to say I love you. Sometimes we need talk with a friend or bring a meal to a storm victim. Sometimes we need to be very still for an afternoon or an hour and use our stillness to pray for those we care about. Sometimes we need to …
Sometimes I can get too easily cynical, but in my heart I know that only light can push the darkness away in this crazy mixed up world. You can be a light to someone by pointing them to the Savior. You can be a refuge from the storm for someone. You can make a difference. You can pay it forward. You can be a helper to someone who needs help.
