Random Acts Of Kindness

Meditation

Italian

One man who had purchased tickets to a Johnny Cash concert was too sick to go, so the Man in Black brought the music to him.

Life is a series of unexpected twists and turns, sometimes arriving in places we never ever imagined. Unfortunately, sickness and diseases are often included in that journey. It’s a sad, tragic part of life. 

It was because of one fan’s unexpected cancer diagnosis that resulted in legendary country musician Johnny Cash visiting a fan in the hospital. 

As the video explains, Keith Flemming, an Australian man, had purchased tickets to see The Highwaymen in concert. Keith had every intention of going to see the supergroup but, unfortunately, was unable to make it to the show. 

Keith was diagnosed with lung cancer and being critically ill could not leave his hospital room to see the group, which included Johnny Cash. So, understanding the situation and knowing that Keith was a massive fan of Johnny’s, the “I Walk the Line” singer went to Keith.

Prior to the visit to see Keith, the video states that Johnny’s mother had passed away a few short months earlier, also from lung cancer. 

In the clip, Johnny introduces himself, shakes Keith’s hand and asks him how he’s doing. Johnny then leans over and gives the dying man a kiss on the cheek. 

Johnny then tells Keith that his absence at his concert was noticeable.

“Sorry you couldn’t make the show,” Johnny says. “We missed ya.”

But Johnny’s loving words weren’t the only ways he showed the sick man kindness. Johnny even put on a private concert for Keith, singing a couple of songs for him.

Johnny’s kind act and touching words likely meant the world to Keith and his family.

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

This sign shows what i feel about god. mm i want to give him the good ol' sloppy toppenheimer

“Say It”, shares a heartfelt and urgent message regarding the brevity of life, and how we should love and forgive while we are still alive.

Meditation

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave a young woman battling cancer the surprise of her life when he showed up unexpectedly and spent some time with her.

Life is truly an unfair experience at times. Seemingly out of nowhere, and for no reason at all, people can get sick. Seeing young children diagnosed with cancer or some other horrifying disease is always a punch to the gut. They want nothing more than to be kids, but life takes a nasty and unexplainable turn.

Dwayne Johnson in addition to being the biggest movie star on the planet is also a human being. He feels the same emotions and tugs on his heart as anyone else, especially when he sees a child diagnosed with cancer. That’s why The Rock decided to surprise 12-year-old Luna Perrone at a restaurant one evening.

In a video posted on YouTube, the “Jumanji” star walks out into the restaurant, holding Luna’s plate of food and playing the role of a waiter. Luna is rendered speechless by his appearance.

She eventually gets up from the table, and the Rock gives her a warm and loving embrace. The Rock eventually spent 30 minutes with Luna. 

But while this may have been their first meeting, it’s not the first time they have communicated.

In the clip, Dwayne points out that in 2021, he had made a video of support for the young woman after she was first diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, Luna, who is now 12, has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

Dwayne said that while he is “honored and grateful” that Luna is his biggest fan, he is actually her “biggest fan.”

But The Rock's unexpected arrival and the 30 minutes he spent with her weren’t the only surprises Luna received from the Hollywood A-lister. He also sent the young woman to Disneyland.

The Rock's beautiful and kind gesture is definitely greatly appreciated by a little girl in a tough fight.

Galatians 6:10 “So then, as we have the chance, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the family of the faith.”

One young man took the extraordinary and caring step of carrying his teacher, who was confined to a wheelchair, during a class outing.

Teachers have a monumental impact on society. Educators touch the lives of young people every single day. They are literally teaching the next generation, molding and shaping the minds of tomorrow. What teachers say and do can have a massive impact on the world.

Educators are used to helping students, going out of their way to assist those in their classroom. In addition to their time, teachers often invest their own money into their classroom and their students by purchasing necessary learning materials. 

However, a video posted on social media shows that when a teacher was in need, a group of students came through when he needed assistance.

The short video on Instagram begins with a student literally carrying a teacher over his shoulder. The text, which rests at the top of the frame, reads, “POV: When your teacher’s wheelchair won’t roll through the sand.”

The caption included with the video indicates that the touching move was done so that the teacher and the students could remain together during a field trip.

“A heartwarming moment as students rally around their teacher and make sure that the team can stay together, no matter what!” the caption reads.

Other students stand near the student with the teacher, almost as if they are monitoring the situation in case the student has any trouble with the teacher.

The young man with the teacher on his shoulder then proceeds down the dirt-covered trail with relative ease.

It’s clear that those students appreciate and care for their teacher. When they saw an opportunity to return the favor and be a literal shoulder to lean on, they did not hesitate.

John 14:14 “If you make any request in my name, I will do it.”

One man exhibited extraordinary kindness when he surprised a woman with a new cell phone.

It would be hard for most people to function today without having a cell phone within a few inches of their outstretched hand. Cell phones keep us constantly connected to popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sending a quick text to a friend or family member can be completed in seconds. Cell phones have essentially become an extension of most people’s hands. 

However, as a video posted on social media shows, cell phones may also be the only connection to help and the outside world for some. One man seemed to know and understand this when he showed great concern and kindness for an elderly woman with a broken cell phone.

The clip begins with the woman informing the man that she had left her phone two days ago. She would now like to pick up her phone, which she desperately hopes is repaired. 

Unfortunately, the man behind the counter tells her that her phone is broken beyond repair. After hearing this news, the woman begins to panic, unsure what she will do now.

“I can’t imagine,” she says. “I live alone, I have nobody. I have from time to time to call an ambulance or to a hospital.”

But things take an unexpected turn. The gentleman behind the counter has already come up with a solution to her problem. He places a brand-new phone on the counter, informing the woman it's hers. 

“I know, ma’am,” he says. “That’s why I can give this phone to you.”

The woman is shocked by the announcement. She states she doesn't have the money to pay for the new, expensive phone. But she does not have to pay, the man behind the counter has an answer for her.

“This phone is for you from good people,” he tells the woman.

But she wants to know who would do such a thing for her. Who would give her a brand-new phone, she asks. 

“Let me be this good person for you, OK?” the man behind the counter tells her.

She is overwhelmed by the act of kindness. She begins tearing up, wiping away the tears. 

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

A whole pool of people showed their support for a young man as he stepped out and tried something new for the first time.

In life, most new experiences come with anxiety and increased blood pressure. Most people have at least a tiny fear of the unknown. Why wouldn’t we? That only makes sense, right? We’ve never done this particular thing before. How will it go? What will happen? Will it be painful? Will I fail and make a fool of myself?

These and other questions are just some thoughts that start to swirl around in someone’s mind when they contemplate trying something new and unknown. Additionally, the fears those questions represent are why individuals often hold themselves back from trying or experiencing something else.

A video posted on YouTube shows the difference a little bit of encouragement and support can make when these fears arise. 

The clip shows a pool of people enjoying themselves as they try to escape the heat and humidity. In the distance, dead center in the frame is a diving board. Several people stand near the board, waiting for their turn to jump off the diving apparatus. 

Seconds into the short video, a young man, a 5-year-old, walks out onto the edge of the diving board. Text in the video informs viewers that this is the first jumping attempt for the child. It would only make sense that the child was feeling a bit apprehensive about leaping from such a height.

But then something unexpected happens! 

Almost as if they sensed the child was considering nixing his jump, everyone in the pool began clapping and cheering for the young man. Following this tremendous show of support, the child jumps, even showing a bit of athleticism on the way down.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not given you orders? Take heart and be strong; have no fear and do not be troubled; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

One simple but thoughtful gesture from his fellow employees on his birthday caused a man to break down and become emotional.

No one enjoys getting older. As such, most adults don’t enjoy their birthdays, or at least not as much as they did during childhood. Birthdays are a prominent reminder of the inevitable and unfortunate aging process. However, despite getting older, everyone enjoys knowing someone cares and appreciates them on their special day.

A video posted on YouTube shows just how much one gentleman appreciated the fact that his coworkers remembered his birthday. 

The short clip begins with the birthday boy, Leo, moving about in what appears to be an industrial-sized kitchen. Seconds after the video starts, someone off-camera is heard singing, “Happy birthday.” 

The individual narrating the clip informs viewers that it has been quite some time since Leo has received a birthday cake. That was something his coworkers wanted to change.

As the video continues, the camera gets closer to Leo, he starts pacing around the kitchen. It’s almost as if he’s trying to avoid the person headed toward him, knowing he’s likely to shed a tear or two. 

However, the woman with the cake and the person behind the camera are not deterred. They continue to approach Leo, who attempts to avoid eye contact with them or the camera. Eventually, Leo faces the camera and immediately takes his arms to his eyes. 

The kindness from his coworkers touched Leo, causing him to become emotional. 

What a beautiful and touching moment! 

It may have just been a cake and some singing, but it’s clear that that simple act of kindness and love meant so much to Leo. Acknowledging an individual and showing them that you care and appreciate them can make all the difference to them. 

2 Corinthians 4:16 “For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new day by day.”

Delta flight attendants went above and beyond their job descriptions in order to save one couple’s vacation.

Wedding ceremonies, receptions and honeymoons involve a ton of planning and preparation. There is much to do and accomplish for those events to go off without a hitch. Other, less pressing tasks may fall by the wayside or be forgotten altogether. 

One couple knows this reality too well, as a bride’s forgotten passport threatened to ruin her and her new husband’s honeymoon cruise. Luckily for Lawryn and Joe Fellowock, Delta flight attendants were not going to let that happen.

In the clip posted on YouTube, Joe and Lawryn had just finished exchanging vows and saying, “I do,” at their wedding ceremony at a courthouse. The bride and groom hopped on a plane. They were ready to board a cruise and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the Caribbean, or so they thought. 

But there was one major problem. Lawryn had forgotten her passport at home. After reaching out to one of their flight attendants, an operation was launched to recover the passport and deliver it to Lawryn.

The mission to recover the new bride’s passport began with Lawryn’s sister, who went to her home, dug the government document out of her closet and gave it to a Delta flight attendant. That flight attendant flew from Detroit to Atlanta. The passport was then given to a second flight attendant. 

The second flight attendant next boarded a plane traveling from Atlanta to Puerto Rico, where it was placed at the customer service desk. It was at that point when Lawryn picked up her much-needed passport.

Lawryn also learned that, due to the operation, she had picked up somewhat of a nickname. Lawryn said that when she asked about her passport at the desk, the Delta employees reacted joyfully.

“And their faces just lit up,” Lawryn said. “And they were so excited, like, ‘You’re the passport girl.’”

Thanks to the kindness of the Delta employees, Joe and Lawryn were able to enjoy their Caribbean honeymoon.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

A video of a bullied young man searching and asking for friends has gotten a lot of attention online.

People are not meant to be totally alone and to live a life without human interaction. No, humans need and crave relationships with others. Relationships of all kinds, whether they be romantic or of the friendly, platonic variety, are needed by everyone. Humans simply need other humans.

Shayden Walker is a 12-year-old boy, and as the video posted to YouTube shows, he desperately needs some people to be his friends. 

The clip, recorded by a doorbell camera, begins with young Shayden standing on a porch, conversing with the homeowner. Seconds into the video, Shayden makes his reason for darkening the man’s front porch clear.

“I just wanted to see if you, if you knew any kids around, like, 11 or 12 maybe,” he said. “’Cause I need, I need, I need some friends, like really bad.”

But the young man continues to open up to the homeowner, stating that some children his age in the neighborhood are no longer his friends. They have mistreated him, Shayden said.

“They’re not my friends anymore ‘cause they’re bullies to me,” he said. 

However, since the video of Shayden was posted online and went viral, things have turned around for the young man.

Not only has Shayden since become like family to the man heard in the video, his wife and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, but he has also found what he was looking for from the beginning: friends.

Shayden reports that he has made several new friends since the video. Additionally, the young man feels immeasurably better about himself and his situation.

“My confidence has gone through the roof,” he said.

A little love, care and kindness can make all the difference in someone’s life. Everyone needs a friend now and then.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work. And if one has a fall, the other will give him a hand; but unhappy is the man who is by himself, because he has no helper.”

A UPS delivery driver went several steps beyond his job description when he helped a woman conceal a birthday present.

Birthdays are special occasions and cause for celebration. While the person getting older may not enjoy the annual date on the calendar, others use it as a chance to show how much they care about the person. Cakes are made, and presents are purchased.

One woman, Hannah Pierce, who had purchased a birthday gift for her fiancée, found herself in an odd predicament. She was at work when the gift arrived via UPS, but her boyfriend was at home sick.

Thankfully, Rick, a beloved community member, and a UPS driver, gave Hannah a hand. Hannah was at work at the time of the delivery. She communicated with Rick through a Ring camera and asked him to hide it if possible because it was a gift for Jason, Hannah’s fiancée. 

As the video shows, Jason answered the door and Rick, quick on his feet, gave a convincing but less-than-truthful answer. 

“Yeah, I don’t have a delivery,” Rick said. “I’ve got the wrong house.”

Hannah explained that Rick delivered the package but left it where only Hannah would find it.

“I have a fenced-in backyard,” Hannah said. “He slid it through my fence and behind a trash can. And as soon as I got home, about 45 minutes later, it was safe and sound.”

Hannah admits that she was touched by Rick’s willingness to help her out by hiding the birthday gift.

“It was mind-blowing,” Hannah said. “I was in my office, as I am right now, and kind of, just trying to be quiet. I didn’t expect him to go above and beyond. And as soon as he did, I was, my heart sinks. I was like, ‘a lot of people wouldn’t do this.’”

That package was delivered with a ton of attention and care!

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

The community responded in a big way after no one showed up to a birthday party for a 5-year-old girl.

Birthdays are monumental occasions for children. They are times often recognized with a party, friends, cake and lots of gifts. Children will anxiously count down the days until that special, annual day on the calendar. Birthdays and birthday parties mean the world to children. 

Knowing the amount of significance children place on birthday parties is why Lex Fitzgerald was crushed. 

Lex had organized a birthday party for her 5-year-old daughter. Invitations were sent, a table was decorated and the 5-year-old birthday girl was in her finest clothes. Everything was ready. However, no one showed up for the child’s party. The no-shows came even after several of the child’s classmates had RSVP’d yes.

“She was just sitting there,” Lex said. “My heart broke. She was sitting there waiting for her friends to arrive. And I just, I didn’t know what to do.”

Lex was devastated by the lack of turnout for her daughter’s party. But then Lex came up with an idea. She went to social media and posted, reaching out to the community. 

The mother of the devastated child wrote how no one showed up for the child’s party, explaining that if they weren’t busy, they were welcome to attend.

Then, just minutes later, people began arriving at the party.

“And when I tell you that within 15 minutes of making that post, people started to arrive,” Lex said. “Families started to arrive for her birthday party. It was the most incredible show of neighborly love and community.”

But those guests did not come to the party empty-handed either. They made sure to bring presents for the birthday girl. 

What a beautiful example of kindness and love!

Colossians 3:12 “As saints of God, then, holy and dearly loved, let your behavior be marked by pity and mercy, kind feeling, a low opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and a power of undergoing all things.”

Meditation

One father, who was experiencing kidney failure, witnessed his son courageously step up to donate him a much-needed kidney. 

Parents are their children’s providers and protectors. Most would go to great lengths if it meant keeping their children from experiencing any amount of hurt or pain. It’s a parental instinct that does not go away no matter the age of their children. Parents hurt when their children hurt. 

However, one young man, Jonathan Calixto, came to the rescue of his father, Jose Calixto. Jose started experiencing kidney failure in 2021. He began dialysis in May of that year. 

Dialysis, which helps to “filter the blood and remove excess fluid after kidney failure,” took its toll on Jose. Jonathan, in a video posted on YouTube, mentioned how draining and taxing dialysis was on his father. 

“To see him like that, and his dialysis being three times a week for, like, three or four hours each time, and to see him when he came out very drained and tired,” Jonathan said. “He would usually sleep all day.”

Jonathan mentioned that his father, before kidney failure and undergoing dialysis, was active, participating in several sports. He said seeing this massive change in his father made him “incredibly sad.”

Seeing this devastating physical change in his father led Jonathan to think through solutions, including whether donating one of his kidneys was possible. 

Jonathan underwent several tests to determine if he was a match. Then in March 2023, it was confirmed. Jonathan was approved as a kidney donor for his father. Now, Jose no longer requires dialysis because of Jonathan's lifesaving gift. 

Jose states that his life has been changed thanks to his son. He also adds that his relationship with Jonathan is different, but better following the surgery.

“It has strengthened our relationship because [my son] gave me a part of himself,” he said.

1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.” 

With kindness and friendship, a school bus driver helped a child struggling to do a “complete 180.”

Friendship or simply showing someone kindness can have a massive impact on their life. No one can be sure what battle someone else may be secretly fighting. But an act seemingly as insignificant as a smile or a short conversation may be just what that person needed at that moment. 

Charles Frierson is a school bus driver. But for 6-year-old Kameron and his mother, Kelly Isenberg, Charles is much more than just a school employee. He is a trusted friend who has done more than expected to show Kameron kindness.

Charles understands how big of a difference a kind word or act can mean in someone’s life, especially to a child.

“You don’t know what kids may be going through,” he said. “And it’s that ‘good morning,’ ‘have a good day,’ that ‘how you doing?’ And that small relationship and small communication with them makes a difference. And so, that’s what I enjoy.” 

Kelly, so moved by Charles’ consistent acts of kindness to Kameron, reached out to the school district with a letter, letting them know how much he has done for her son.

“Mr. Charles goes above and beyond every day for my son,” she read in a video posted on YouTube. 

She added that Charles often eats lunch with Kameron and puts an extra treat in his backpack as he walks off the bus. Charles has even, on weekends, come to Kameron’s baseball games.

Kameron’s special education teacher mentioned that the 6-year-old had been “struggling,” but because of Charles’ kindness, the young man has “done a complete 180.” 

Kameron’s teacher referred to Charles as a heavenly being for what he has done and continues to do.

“Mr. Charles truly is an angel walking here on earth,” she said.

Being kind to someone is simple and easy, but it can make all the difference. Charles, with kind words and actions, made a big difference in Kameron’s life. 

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

Beautiful words

Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, greeted a family in Home Depot and surprised them by agreeing to pay for their washer and dryer.

A seemingly insignificant and unexpected act of kindness can go a long way in changing someone’s day, week, life and entire outlook. What one person may see as small, such as holding the door, can have massive ramifications, bringing about change for good. 

A short, 50-second video posted on Twitter shows former Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O’Neal performing a random act of kindness for a family shopping in Home Depot. 

The video shows the 7-footer walking through the store as he approaches two women, who calmly greet Shaq.

“Nice to meet you,” one of the women says as she shakes the NBA legend’s hand.

Shaq responds by asking them what items they are purchasing in the store. 

“We are buying the washer and dryer,” one of the two women tells Shaq.

Shaq states in a calm and matter-of-fact manner, “I’m gonna pay for it.”

The women cannot believe what they have just heard, that Shaq will be picking up the tab for their new household appliances. 

“Really! Oh, my God!” one of the women reacts.

They can’t contain their excitement at Shaq’s kind act and begin screaming and yelling in joy. There are smiles all around as Shaq gives both women hugs.

One woman exclaims, “Bless you, bless you, bless you” as she takes a selfie with Shaquille.

The video ends with the women with a Home Depot employee, selecting their preferred washer and dryer.

What a kind and generous act from a man who is known for doing such things for people. He recently bought a family with nine children a brand new 15-passenger van, according to GodUpdates.

Shaq may have scored thousands of points and won NBA titles during his playing career, but with his continued acts of kindness off the court, he’s changing lives and still gaining fans.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”