One Kindness, Two Smiles
John 1:12 — But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.
Sometimes the smallest invitations change someone’s whole world.
My little niece proved that to me.
I’m so proud of her. She had been saving for months to buy a bicycle. When she finally bought one, she rode it all around her neighborhood, telling me everything about it. But then she told me she noticed another little girl sitting on her porch almost every evening, just watching her ride by.
So, my niece started waving, smiling, and saying hi. Then one day she stopped and said, “Hey… do you want to ride my bike?”
So cute, right?
Later, my brother found out the little girl’s family simply couldn’t afford one of their own. Just sharing her bike made a huge difference in that little girl’s world.
I love that about children. They just naturally want someone else to feel included. Meanwhile, we adults overthink everything. I know I do.
We want to help, but then the questions start rolling in. Is it safe? Who are they? What if something goes wrong? We can talk ourselves out of kindness before we ever take the first step.
Jesus said we should become like little children. Maybe one reason is this: children understand something we often forget. They’re quick to invite because they’re not busy protecting what they already have.
John tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus is welcomed into God’s family. We’ve been invited in—not because we earned it, but because of His grace. Maybe that’s why generosity isn’t just about giving things away. It’s about helping someone else experience the welcome we’ve already received.
So today, maybe your “bike” isn’t a bike at all. Maybe it’s your time, your table, your encouragement, or simply an invitation. Someone may be sitting on the porch hoping someone notices.
Don’t just ride by.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- Can you remember a time when someone made you feel truly welcomed or included? How did it impact you?
- How does knowing you’ve been welcomed into God’s family through Jesus change the way you see and treat others?
- Who in your life might be quietly “sitting on the porch,” hoping someone notices them?
- What is one simple invitation you could extend this week—your time, your table, a conversation, or an act of kindness?
- What’s one way you can reflect God’s welcoming heart to someone who may feel overlooked or left out today?
