Legacy of Kindness 美善的榜样
Dexu Xia
All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Acts 9:39
Martha served as a teacher’s aide at an elementary school for over thirty years. Every year, she saved money to buy new coats, scarves, and gloves for students in need. After she lost her fight with leukemia, we held a celebration of life service. In lieu of flowers, people donated hundreds of brand-new winter coats to the students she loved and served for decades. Many people shared stories about the countless ways Martha encouraged others with kind words and thoughtful deeds. Her fellow teachers honored her memory with an annual coat drive for three years after her life ended on this side of eternity. Her legacy of kindness still inspires others to generously serve those in need.
In Acts 9, the apostle Luke shares a story about Dorcas, a woman who was “always doing good and helping the poor” (v. 36). After she got sick and died, the grieving community urged Peter to visit. All the widows showed Peter how Dorcas had lived to serve (v. 39). In a miraculous act of compassion, Peter brought Dorcas back to life. The news of Dorcas’ resurrection spread, and “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42). But it was Dorcas’ commitment to serving others in practical ways that touched the hearts in her community and revealed the power of loving generosity.
How can you love someone with your kind words and deeds today? How has God used someone else’s kindness to draw you closer to Him?
Loving God, please help me to love others in practical ways each day so I can leave a legacy of kindness that points others straight to You.
众寡妇都站在彼得旁边哭，拿多加与她们同在时所做的里衣外衣给他看。—使徒行传9章39节
玛莎在一所小学当了30多年的助教。每年她都用存下来的钱买新的外套、围巾和手套给那些有需要的学生。在玛莎不敌白血病离世后，我们为她举办一场追悼会，纪念并赞扬她一生为别人所做的付出。与会的人并没有带来花束，而是带来上百件全新的冬季外套，送给玛莎过去数十年间关爱的那些学生们。许多人分享玛莎做过的各样美事，述说她如何透过美好的话语和关怀的举动来鼓励人。在玛莎回天家后的三年里，那些曾与她共事过的老师们，每年都会发起一次外套捐赠活动，藉此纪念玛莎。玛莎所留下那美善的榜样至今仍鼓励人们，向那些有需要的人慷慨解囊。
在使徒行传第9章，作者路加提到一个女门徒多加，总是“广行善事，多施赒济”（36节）。在多加因病离世后，哀伤的门徒和寡妇们急切地请求彼得到他们当中。众寡妇告诉彼得，多加生前是多么热心地服事人（39节）。彼得心存怜悯而行神迹让多加从死里复活。多加复活的消息被传开，“就有许多人信了主”（42节）。然而，这事情的发生也是因为多加先前不遗余力地服事别人，彰显了广施恩惠的力量，早已深刻地打动众人的心。
今天你要如何以美善的话语和行为关怀别人？
上帝如何透过别人的关怀，引领你更亲近祂？
慈爱的上帝，请祢帮助我
每天都能以实际的行动关怀别人，
好让我也能留下美善的榜样，引领人们来到祢面前。