You Never Know
Someone you meet is facing a harder battle than you.
Two golfers stepped up to the first tee on the St. Andrews course at Ardsley, New York, one of America's oldest courses. The elder one was a kindly man who played a thoughtful, deliberate game. The younger man was full of pride and impatience. On the first hole he sliced, lost his ball in the tall grass, shot another one, and had a score of eight instead of four or five. At the end of the first nine holes, the young man was so enraged that he discharged the caddie and carried his own bag.
After several holes had been played without a word, the older player broke the silence: “Several years ago a little kid from Yonkers came up here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a wonderfully sweet-natured boy; quick-witted, willing, and had a nose for golf. Everybody liked him. His name was William; he had a club foot. But that didn't affect his quality as a caddie. It was a pleasure to go out with him. A famous doctor, who was a member of the club, became interested in William and took him south on a long trip. When William returned, he went back to caddying. The doctor, however, had to give up golf shortly after that because of his health. He died a few months later.
“One morning I was playing a round with William carrying my bag. Spring was running riot all over Westchester County and the fields and hedges were alive with blossoms. William gathered flowers until he had quite a bouquet. ‘Who's the girl, William?’ I asked. ‘I haven't any girl, sir,’ he said sheepishly. ‘They're for my friend, the doctor—twice a week I take flowers to his grave.’ You see,” the man went on, "the doctor took him down South that winter and operated on his foot. He made the boy whole again. And William never forgot the doctor's act of kindness.” “Now that's a caddie worth having,” the younger man said. “What ever happened to this William?” “He carried your bag today for the first nine holes.”
The young golfer didn’t know the trials that young man had been through. He didn’t know the difficulties he had overcome and the challenges he still faced. He was only focused on himself and making his golf game look good. He never took time to think of others.
How often can we be described as this young golfer? We want to look good and make sure others think highly of us. Nothing is ever our fault and we find ways of explaining away problems. But take time to stop for a minute. Rather than thinking of yourself, why not think of others around you?
God never commands us to look out for ourselves, but to be kind to others. Remember that the people you meet are probably facing a tougher battle than you. No two lives are alike, and many things you may never have to face others are dealing with.
When was the last time you thought of others before yourself? Or are you usually rude to those around you? Not only is that damaging your testimony for Christ, but it’s directly disobeying His command to be kind! As you go about your routine today, remember that the people you meet are probably struggling more than you will ever know. Be kind to them and show them God’s love through your life today.
Source: Daily in the Word