Be kind

" I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never- I promise you- regret it. Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives towards us, generously and graciously even when we are at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. "
Luke 6:35

How far can a bowl of rice go?

The excerpt above is from the Bible, in the passage Jesus was giving his disciples the code of conduct. He also implored them (now includes us) to be kind just as God is kind.

The story I am about to share is a testament to the power of kindness, and also the power of rice. Let me ask again, how far can a plate of rice go? One day? Two weeks? 3 months? I think it can go a long way, maybe even a lifetime.

Here is my story:
I had just entered my second year in the university then, I lived outside school with my friends and life was kinda rough and raggedy then. My friends and I were going through hard times then. There was this Sunday that met us empty handed, there was no food, we were tired and extremely hungry and broke. It was a hopeless case from all indications until Sister Mary showed up.

Now, Sister Mary was a member of our Church Service Unit (The Press Unit). She was in her final year of study at our school, so ordinarily I never expected her to ever pay us a visit especially as we were lowly freshers/semi-fresher. Anyway Sister Mary showed up (I think God sent her) paying us a visit, unscheduled and uninvited.

I remember clearly how surprised I was (it was more of shock), the fact that our pad wasn't actually in visitor-reception mode nearly put me in a fit. However Sister Mary put us at ease, she was pleasant company and we talked and laughed and talked some more. She then requested that the three of us accompany her to visit Brother Dami.

Since activity reduces the effect of hunger, we gladly agreed to visit Mr Dami whom I thought lived close by. I was so so wrong, Mr Dami didn't live nearby, in fact sister Mary hailed a taxi to take us to his house. When we got to Mr Dami's house, Sister Mary told him we were hungry and that she had rescued us from our house and had brought us to his house so that he could feed us.

Okay, let me pause at this point to affirm that all sister Mary said was true. Back at our house Sister Mary had asked if we had eaten and if we were okay. We all said "Yes", "Yes we had eaten","Yes we are doing great". Thankfully Miss Mary saw through our lies.

Back to Mr Dami's house

He asked us what we'd like to eat. "Rice" was the unanimous response. Like play like play (as we say in Nigerian) Mr Dami prepared a steaming meal of rice and stew. I think there was opportunity to ask for more.

I left Mr Dami's house after the  hearty meal with an experience of practical kindness. People have been kind to me before, even till date I have experienced acts of kindness but the episode I recounted up there has had a profound impact upon me. It keeps in spurring me to be kind to others, just as others have been kind to me.

I do not know how far a bowl of rice can go. However, the kindness Sister Mary and Brother Dami showed me will last a lifetime. As it is now on my blog, it will be here till the Internet ceases to exist. Be kind and tender hearted to everyone. I will not forget this event, I will forever cherish this act of kindness. God bless sister Mary and her family. God bless Mr Damola and his family.

Kindness is a fruit of the spirit. Every believer ought to be kind. Our heavenly father is kind you ought to be kind too.

In case you still don't believe in the power of rice, Google: "Ekiti Election Rice 2014".