BEHIND A WHISPER

He walked into the shop, accompanied by another young man about his age. He was well dressed and held an air of self confidence typical of many youth these days—that is, a superficial self-confidence that often hides feelings of insecurity and possibly some deep emotional scar.

I like to observe people. What can be more fascinating, mysterious, and captivating than a human life? What lies behind that apparently normal expression, those nice, clean clothes, and that well-trimmed hair?

We were both standing by the counter waiting for an attendant to be available to help, when he got a phone call and seemed to have to rush away. On his way out, he leaned toward me and whispered a few words in my ear: “You have a beautiful voice.”

I jolted. What a weird thing to tell a perfect stranger!

I looked at him again, trying to place if I’d met him before, but nothing came to mind. As part of our Christian outreach ministry, I do sing from time to time, but I couldn’t remember ever seeing this man before.

“I’m sorry?”

His well-shaved, mildly tanned face turned red, and he made a motion I didn’t recognize.

“I don’t understand. Have we met?”

He nodded, then grimaced as he whispered, “In jail.”

Then I remembered. We must have met during one of our troupe’s regular performances for the inmates at the city jail.

Realizing he didn’t want to broadcast this shady side of his past, I just smiled to indicate I understood and was happy he had been released.

By now, his friend was calling him from outside, and he had to rush away.

Just enough time for one last whisper: “Thank you for coming.”

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
—Og Mandino (1923–1996)

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.
—Barbara De Angelis (b. 1951)

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910)

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop (c. 620–564 BC)

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Philippians 2:4 ESV / Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 13:34-35 ESV / A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”