The simple kindness of a stranger can change everything, and it did for me.
In the sixth grade, I was once again the new kid in my school. Because of my dad’s work, I had moved six times since kindergarten and now, as a 6th grader, I was starting over again. As out-going and friendly as I was – and I really was! – I still felt timid and shy and worried. Sixth graders can be a mean, petty bunch and starting again was making me feel unsure and weak and tired of it all.
I wanted to blend in, keep my head down and just come and go unnoticed – and yet, I wanted to belong. I wanted to connect, have a friend and be a friend in return.
But starting out in a school where most of these kids had been together since kindergarten was not easy and to make it worse, I didn’t get to start school on the first day. I started a week late. I walked down the echoing hallway into Room 23 with a transfer slip from the office that may as well have read: “This is Jana Garrett*. She’s the new kid. Be sure to have all the kids stare and her and snicker and give her mean glares if she wants to sit near them.” Sigh.
I made it to Room 23. Mr. Garber read the note, seated me in a wobbly, lift-top desk near the front, and I slumped trying to will the powers of invisibility to come over me even as I felt the stares of the students behind me. Soon enough the recess bell rang, and I took my time so I’d leave the room last behind the pushing swarm of giggling 12-year-olds. I slipped out and stood by the classroom door surveying the playground – kids bolting for the handball courts, running for the monkey bars, and already untangling ropes to jump in trios scattered across the blacktop. I walked slowly out from under the shade and covering of the hallway awning and made my way to the blue fiberglass-topped tables to eat my snack…
As I sat down and reached into my brown lunch sack, I felt the table shudder as a big girl sat down next to me. So much for disappearing. “Hey,” she said looking right into my face. “Hey,” I said weakly looking up and then back to my apple. “You’re new. My name is Noelle. I saw you come in today. I was in the back, but I saw you and you looked a little freaked out, so I figured I’d say hey and let you know we could be friends.
I don’t’ think I have to tell you what relief and peace came over me that day at the lunch tables of Weathersfield Elementary School. But the openness and kindness that Noelle showed me that day led to a year of friendship that helped me grow in kindness and strength.
I gained a best friend and a lifelong appreciation for the blessings that come from reaching out in kindness to others.
Perhaps you have experienced a kind act like this? Perhaps you’ve reached out in kindness to someone? Our story of Ruth is one of loyalty and faith but is marked significantly by kindness. The Hebrew word translated “kindness” is “chehsed.” It is found explicitly three times – in the beginning, middle and end of the book – and implied throughout the story. As we continue, make note of the acts of kindness mentioned in the book and perhaps highlight them in your Bible as you read and let this theme of kindness remind you of the love and kindness of God toward you and how we are called to be like Him – kind to all.
This story is an excerpt from the Dwelling Richly community Bible study: “Faithful & Fearless.” Check out the current study on the Bible Study page. Follow my online studies on the Dwelling Richly Podcast or my YouTube channel.
*Jana was my given nickname
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