A Simple Gesture

"If you need a place to stay, you are always welcome to stay with me. Don't worry about anything, just concentrate on your studies, okay?".

Rizal looked so upset. He had been going through a lot recently with his parent's divorce and mum's new hubby. 

Although going home during the holidays was a welcomed break for most, Rizal despised it. He dreaded going back- a place he once called home, was now somewhere he could barely identify with, it was alien to him. 

We tried to do as much as we could during those hard times. We didn't want him to throw away all he had despite what he was going through...

He is one of the sweetest and kindest individuals I had met and I made sure he knew that I would always be there for him. I could not bear to see him go through all that. 

That was more than 10 years ago and during a conversation a few ago, he reached out to me to tell me the good news that he was getting married.

"You have no idea how much what you did for me helped me come out of what I was going through. It was a tough time for me, without you and the rest of the boys, I didn't know whether I would survive it all. It was like everything was crashing down on me. Thank you."

Looking back, I didn't realize how much something so small like a simple gesture would mean so much to him or even that it would make that much of a difference to him. He didn't even take up the offer but.....

Often times the smallest gestures have the largest impact on people's lives.

Don't discount those kind words, simple gestures, a conversation, an offer to help...for it could be someone's lifeline.

For the fruit of our spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness, and faithfulness.

#thesmallestthingsmatter

#mustardseed

#saydosomething

*name is changed to protect the identity of the character.