The unread letter

Over the weekend in Phnom Penh, I received a letter from the mother of one of the Marist postulant. It was written in Khmer. I would have gotten it translated but I chose not to. I want the letter to be a reminder for me to remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that when times are bad and nearly impossible to keep our hope alive, one small random act of kindness can restore faith in God and mankind. I do not want to know the content to magnify what I have done.

I have done nothing significant for Sytha’s family. I only gave them some money to tie over the drought in their village last year. It did not burn a hole in my pocket or cause a dent in my wallet… just a small gesture to give them hope during their worst moments. But the money not only bring them relief, it also improved their living conditions. They repaired their roof and kitchen and also built an extension and created a bigger place to store the rice crop. Never did I expect that little kindness can do so much for the family. But her letter makes me feel even more blessed for it reinforces what I believe in… to give without expectation. I want to see the letter as a beautiful form of eschatology wherein we do not know each other and yet our lives have been touched by one another.

Her show of gratitude outweighs what I have done for them. Her letter is a reminder of bringing hope and changing lives that all of us are able to do if only we want to. The prevailing way to receive is to give from our heart. Give everything we can give. If we have money, give money. If not, give a hand to someone in need, give a smile, give some time to a community project, give a good example, give gratitude, give the best of ourselves in everything we do.Give of what we have without expecting to receive anything in return. Do what we can do to make life a little more joyful. There are many things we receive daily that were given by others out of the kindness of their hearts. We are all guilty of not noticing these free gifts that are a blessing in our daily lives.Sit for a moment and think of what we can do to touch the lives of other. One simple act of kindness will not deplete us in massive ways but it will display the love, joy, kindness and compassion that live within us.

I will treasure her letter for it shows that God never forsakes us, He provides, He cares and most importantly we are all instrument of His love, mercy and compassion.