Mom's five-month local hospital stay started with two fractured vertebrae. After some X-rays and MRIs, the doctors decided that she needed to get the fractured vertebrae fixed, so she was transferred to another hospital that was approximately one hour away. The doctors decided on a vertebroplasty procedure where they inject bone cement into the area that is fractured. Everything worked out well; she had no more pain. When she returned to our local hospital, the doctor suggested that she'd stay longer, but Mom insisted on going home because she wanted to celebrate Christmas with the family. Mom had a hard time getting into my car, but she finally managed.

When we arrived home, she walked with her walker into her granny apartment. Once inside, I helped her with her coat and then closed the front door. As I turned around, I saw her falling and hitting her head against the wall unit. There was blood on the back of her head. I quickly got a cold cloth and put it on the wound and called 911. I couldn't believe it. She just got out of the hospital, and now she was going right back in. She ended up in her old room; the maintenance staff hadn't even had time to clean it.

Mom ended up with an aggressive infection and was transferred to another hospital that was two hours away, where heavy-duty antibiotics were pumped into her. After almost a two-week stay, she was transferred back to the local hospital, where she has been ever since. It was during this time that her appetite waned.

But one day, coming back from an MRI appointment in the patient transfer vehicle, she told the nurse accompanying her that she had an appetite for a hot dog. Unbeknownst to Mom, the nurse called her husband, and when Mom arrived at the hospital, there was a hot dog waiting for her.

Mom immediately gobbled up the entire meal and then offered to reimburse the nurse's husband. The nurse told her that it was payment enough just to watch her enjoy the meal.

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)

Colossians 3:12 – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (NLT)

In this big, bad world with so many selfish people who don't care about others at all, a little kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. It has even been known to restore someone's faith in humanity, let alone offer an opportunity to explain that we "do unto others" because of what Jesus has done for us. Kindness is a normal outworking of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for sending us opportunities today to brighten up someone's day with a random act of kindness. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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