Kindness Always Returns

Many years ago my aunt shared this true story with me.

Glendora Martin was small in stature, but she had the kindest heart. Everyone in the village affectionately called her “Sister Glen.” For years, she worked as a shop attendant in a small superette in St. John’s, Antigua. One day, when a local workman forgot his lunch at home and did not have time or money to find something to eat, he was told to go and ask for Sister Glen. In desperation, the young man explained his situation, and Sister Glen opened her purse and gave her last $5.00 to the stranger. He purchased a cheese sandwich and a bottled soda. Everything came to $4.95. Years later, Sister Glen decided to open her own shop. When the workmen came to start building, she asked how much they would charge for labor.

One man said he charged $150.00 per day. “What about you, sir?” Glendora asked the next workman. “I will tell you when we finish the job,” he replied.

“But I don’t operate like that,” the little lady retorted.

“You have to tell me up front so I can budget properly.” “It’s OK; it won’t be anything you cannot afford,” he said. When the building was finished, Sister Glen asked, “Well now, Mr. Thomas, how much do I owe you?” “Five dollars,” was the reply.

Sister Glen was startled. “Five dollars? You have worked for weeks, and now you say I owe you only five dollars? I do not understand!” It turns out that when Mr. Thomas was a teenager, he forgot his lunch at home one day, and someone sent him to Sister Glen. Now, many years later, he was able to repay her kindness. Sister Glen invited him to church the following Sabbath, and after he received Bible studies, she had the joy of seeing him baptized.

I am reminded of Jesus’ words: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40, KJV).

Hyacinth V. Caleb