Lesson 120: No Act of Kindness

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

An old Aesop saying states that, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” I think I have recently discovered that truth. On March 3, 2007, I had the honor of attending and speaking at the Navy/Marine Memorial Service held in Annapolis, Maryland. The Maryland Division left nothing to chance, as they decorated, memorialized, and dedicated the soldiers of yesteryear. My dear friends had asked me if I would escort a lady that had cancer to place a wreath on Captain Waddell’s (captain of the Shenandoah) grave I told them that I would consider it an honor to do so. I asked Adjutant Taylor to accompany us and at the appointed time, we slowly assisted her to the appointed place where she gingerly released her burden. I remember the look of pride, peace and satisfaction as she paid tribute to those that had crossed the great divide. I recall her gratitude towards us for helping her weakened and frail frame walk those thirty steps of glory. And our ships passed in the night.

At the center in which I was to speak, I asked of her and was told that she was too weak to make it any farther and she had to beg leave and go home. I honesty thought nothing more about it, and went on with my presentation. I later thought of all those I had escorted and assisted in the past, yet for some reason, escorting her seemed to have a special significance.

On March 27, 2007, at 11:26, I received the following communiqué from Ms. Diane. In the dispatch was the sad news of the passing of the lady that we had escorted. I read it with humbleness of heart, as tears poured from my eyes. I share it with deep respect for the lady that honored us that day by asking if we would be her escort.

Dearest Dave,

I am writing to inform you that the dear southern lady you escorted to lay a wreath at Confederate Navy and Marine Day lost her fight with cancer yesterday. I can not express to you how much she appreciated you and Danny performing such a great honor by being her escort. She was so just so proud and honored!!! You gave her the feeling of being a very special person! I can not express my appreciation to you enough, it may appear that you did a small thing by escorting her. . .you just never know how those small ways we touch someone's life can mean so much! She loved her south and you made her last public occasion to honor that love very meaningful for her! Yesterday the South Lost a Very Wonderful Lady!!

Again Thank You!!

Diane W. G.

Humbled by the above words, I must ensure that all understand that she was a special person and had fought her illness with tenacity of spirit. She reminded me of an old adage that says, “It is not that we suffer but how we suffer that matters.” Though she was in obvious pain, not once did she complain. Though her body was dying, her soul obtained wings of mercy and she danced with dignity, as she took meager steps towards her goal of placing a wreath upon a grave. How kind she was to me! Through her simple act she reminded me of God’s kindness to us. In Titus 3:4-5, the Bible states, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” All acts of kindness, love, goodness, and gentleness are seen by our Father and are noted. No act goes unnoticed. The hairs on our head are numbered and so are the things we do. He knows our voice among the millions. He sees our brief walk upon this earth. He watches.

Let us strive to be gentler, more understanding, more loving, meeker, and kinder and walk in the true sprit of Christ. For Galatians 5:22-23 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. And finally, let us remember the example of our Lord in His kindness to us, as he stretched out His arms and demonstrated His love by hanging on a cross. Praying to be kinder, I remain your humbled servant, the Old General