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wiggly worms
The difference an act of kindness can make

Regular columnist Ruth Lilley was inspired by a simple act of kindness by a child playing a game.

It is funny how something seemingly quite straight forward and simple can cause you to stop in your tracks and realise how things can get muddled up and over complicated.
 
Recently, at work, I was playing a game with some children. The aim of the game was to grab the wiggly worms when they started moving. You choose a colour by picking a card then, as the timer counts down, the worms would pop up and you had to grab the ones the ones with the correct coloured bottom!
 
For the first game, both players were quite competitive (yes, I was one of those players!). Then another child came along, and the game was quite different. We chose our colours and started the timer. We both began to grab the wiggly worms and I put back the ones that were not my colour. However, my young opponent would grab a worm that was not their colour and, if it was my colour, pass it to me saying, ‘Here you go, you need this colour.’ I was completely taken aback by their gesture - by their simple kindness.
 
As we journey into Easter, we see an even greater kindness. One that also says, ‘here you go, you need this.’
A kindness that set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing He had a purpose to fulfil.
A kindness that washed the feet of His friends, giving us all the courage to love greatly.
A kindness which said, ‘Yet not my will, but Yours.’
A kindness which hung to a tree, taking my sin, so I could be set free.
A kindness that turned defeat into victory and death into new life.
A kindness that appeared to His friends, making hope certain and giving them reason to be brave.
 
When we consider this kindness and allow it to touch our lives, we in turn are able to reflect that kindness. Instead of saying, “me first”, we become like the child with the wiggly worms and give to others what they need. I believe, as we tread each day, we will meet opportunities to share our kindness and to give without sparing.
 
As the child played the game, his first thought was not to win. Instead, I think it was probably to just enjoy the game! When we follow Jesus as our example, we too can be extravagant with our kindness.
 
I am certain that if we make the courageous choice to share kindness in abundance, we too will cause people to pause and notice. Also, that these moments of kindness will change the rhythm of the day and bring purpose, love, hope and freedom.

Today, I choose not just kindness but a kindness that is bold and brave.


 

ruth starkings 150CFRuth Lilley has recently returned to teaching at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’

 
 
 

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Feedback:
(Guest) 25/03/2021 23:57
That's a lovely story-well done that child. When I was at Bible College we were out on mission to a local church and did a team game with teams of 4 each given a Scrabble set. they were told there were no rules but their aim was for their team to make the highest number of points. Each team played the game individually as normal even though they had been told there were no rules! If they had played as a team collectively and worked out the highest scoring words together they would have had a higher scare and been more likely to win! I think you can see the moral here.

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