Touched by kindness

I arrived at the station in plenty of time for a hot drink and to use the facilities.

As I exited the car, I got an alert on my phone. Your train has been cancelled.

I needed to be at my destination at a certain time as I was supporting my friend at an appointment.

I looked at the screen with the vast arrays of times and destinations and was baffled.

Anyone who truly knows me knows that my sense of direction is appalling, so I didn’t want to choose a train that was going in the completely wrong direction.

There was only one thing to do: ask for help.

My mum always said, ‘No one ever needs to get lost, as you have a tongue in your head.’

There were three members of barrier staff, so I asked one of them what I should do.

The first young man immediately searched online, looking for the best way to get to where I was going.

Another staff member, whom I thought had just walked away, came back with a printed-out itinerary for me. They were both so kind and patient with my numerous questions.

They advised me to take a screenshot of the screen showing that my train had been cancelled. I jokingly asked if they wanted to be in the photo!

You may read this and think they were doing their job, yes, they were, but they did it with patience and kindness. They were bright and smiley; nothing seemed like a chore.

Sometimes it's not what we do, it's how we do them that counts.

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After I had a warm drink, I went through the barrier and asked them which platform I was to go to. He patiently told me that that too was on my itinerary, which he had already given me, but he showed me anyway.

I got on the train, wondering if there would be a problem with my ticket.

Will the train conductor be as kind as the barrier staff?

The train set off on time, and I waited for the conductor to walk down the aisle.

He came to my seat, and I thought honesty is the best policy, so  I said, “I'm on the wrong train”

He laughed and said, “Yey, where are you going?” I explained, and he smiled and said, “No problem”

Here was another young

man doing his job with humour, gentleness and kindness.

As the train travelled, I decided to write my blog and wondered what the right names were for the people who work on the railway. Once again, I stopped the conductor and asked him what the job title was for the guys who helped me at the station. I said, “Are they called station masters?” With a chuckle, he said, “No, they are called barrier staff, but I like Station master better”

I started to think maybe everyone needs an upgrade on their job titles. People need to know they are valued, important and special.

All of the staff that I met today treated me with kindness and respect. Why did their kindness touch me so much?

I guess because a lot of the time in this world, we don’t get shown kindness from strangers.

Kindness is a beautiful gift we can give to the world.

It doesn’t have to be big gestures; it could be a smile or opening the door for someone.

Kindness matters; it shows people we care. It makes people feel important and special.

It brings out the best in people. It makes our world a more beautiful place to live in.

Let's spread kindness wherever we go.

Colossians 3:12 NLT

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.