Brighten Your Day

It was the first day of 4-H camp. I was 10 years old and in the middle of a fist fight with another boy my age. I can no longer remember what the fight was even about, but I do remember that it wasn't going very well for me. I was fortunate then when the camp counselor suddenly showed up and stopped the fight. He made us apologize and shake hands to make up. You could tell by our eyes, however, that our hearts weren't in it.

It was the last day of 4-H camp. My Mom had arrived with a surprise for me and my brother. She had baked several homemade pizzas for us to share with our friends. As I was finishing up my last two slices I saw my opponent from day one sitting alone, outside, at the bottom of the stairs to our cabin. I don't know why but at that moment my heart opened. I walked down the steps and shared one of the pieces of pizza with him. It was just a little act of kindness, but it made the day brighter and healed any hurt feelings we still had between us.

It took me many years to realize just how important and vital those little acts of love and kindness are in this life. They matter more than our wealth and accomplishments. They matter more than any fame or popularity. They matter more than all the things this world holds so dear. In the eyes of Heaven they are priceless. In fact, they are the only things we get to take with us when we leave this world for the next.

When we get to meet God face to face and look back on our lives here, it will be these little acts of love that we will be looking at. Don't miss a single opportunity then to share your love and kindness with another. Don't miss a single chance to brighten this world with your inner light. Fill your life here with a million little acts of love and kindness and watch yourself grow closer to God and Heaven with each one.