“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

In a world that often measures significance by the size of our actions, it’s easy to overlook the power of small acts of kindness. We might think that only grand gestures can make a real difference, but the truth is, even the smallest acts, when done with love, can ripple out and change lives—starting with our own.

I want to share a story that’s close to my heart, one that beautifully illustrates how a simple, seemingly small act of kindness can have a profound impact. My oldest son, Billy, recently graduated from BASIC training for the Army. As a family, we’ve been incredibly proud of his dedication and the hard work he’s put in to reach this milestone. But along with that pride comes the challenge of being apart, especially during such a demanding time in his life.

During BASIC training, communication is scarce. Billy gets about 20 minutes a week to make a call home, and those 20 minutes are precious to us. Every week, we look forward to hearing his voice, catching up on his experiences, and sharing a bit of home with him. Those calls are a lifeline, a way for us to stay connected during this intense period of his life.

The other day, Billy called as usual. We were chatting, trying to squeeze in as much conversation as possible into those few minutes. Then, something remarkable happened. Billy asked if it would be alright to cut the call short by a few minutes. Naturally, we were a bit surprised and curious as to why. He explained that one of his buddies had a phone that got waterlogged, leaving him unable to make his own call home. Billy wanted to give up 5 of his precious minutes so his friend could use his phone to call his stepdad and at least leave a message.

Now, think about that for a moment. Billy only gets 20 minutes a week to connect with us—a window of time that’s not guaranteed and that he surely looks forward to. Yet, he chose to give up a quarter of that time for someone he met just a few weeks ago, someone who was in need of a simple act of kindness.

This wasn’t just an ordinary act of generosity; it was a powerful display of what it means to give out of one’s own poverty. Billy didn’t have much time to give, but he gave what he had, and he did it willingly, without hesitation. This story brings to mind the account of the widow’s offering in Luke 21:1-4, where Jesus observes the rich giving their gifts to the temple treasury, and then He sees a poor widow putting in two very small copper coins. Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Just like the widow, Billy’s act of kindness wasn’t about the quantity of what he gave, but the quality—the heart behind it. He could have easily kept those minutes for himself, but instead, he saw a need and chose to meet it, even at a cost to himself. This is the essence of true kindness—giving not just out of our abundance, but out of our scarcity, and doing it with a heart full of love and compassion.

This story isn’t just about Billy’s kindness; it’s a reminder to all of us that the small acts we do, even those that seem insignificant, can have a profound impact. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that if we can’t do something big, it’s not worth doing at all. But the Bible encourages us otherwise. Galatians 6:9 tells us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” It’s the small, consistent acts of kindness that build up over time, creating a legacy of love and generosity that reflects the heart of Christ.

When we choose to be kind, especially when it costs us something, we’re planting seeds that will bear fruit in due season. We may not see the immediate impact of our actions, but we can trust that God is at work, using our small offerings to bring about His purposes. Whether it’s a few minutes of our time, a word of encouragement, or a simple smile, these acts of kindness are never wasted.

So, how can we apply this in our own lives? Start by looking for the small opportunities to be kind. Maybe it’s helping a neighbor with their groceries, taking a moment to listen to a friend who’s having a tough day, or giving someone a compliment to brighten their mood. It doesn’t have to be big; it just has to come from the heart.

And when you’re tempted to think that what you’re doing doesn’t matter, remember Billy’s story. Remember the widow’s offering. And remember that God sees every act of kindness, no matter how small, and He delights in our efforts to reflect His love to the world.