On Saturday, I led a graveside service in the pouring rain. I stayed mostly dry under my large umbrella, but the pages of my folder got soaked. When I returned to my car and closed my umbrella to get in, the funeral director kindly held his umbrella over me so I wouldn’t get wet.

“At least it isn’t snowing,” I said.

“Oh that might come this afternoon,” he replied.

He was right. After lunch and by the time I needed to leave for the celebration of life at the church, the sky was thick with snow. The roadway was covered. I wouldn’t normally drive in that kind of weather. So I thought of calling someone to get a ride. But how wimpy would that be? I asked myself. It might not even be snowing at the bottom of the hill and at the church. I have good winter tires–“nearly new,” I was told when I took my car in for service a few weeks ago. I was leading the celebration of life, so surely I could drive myself there.

So I did. Like the few other cars on the road, I drove slowly and carefully down the hill. It was snowing all my way to the church, but I made it there safely. I breathed a prayer of thanks for the kindness of God. But what if it keeps snowing like this all through the service and reception? I wondered. “I might have to stay overnight at the church,” I joked.

“So you didn’t grow up on the prairies,” one couple cheerfully responded. “If you need to leave your car here, we’ll give you a ride.” More kindness. Then after the service and reception, they looked for me and asked, “Are you okay to get yourself home?”  By that time the snow had turned to rain, and while the parking lot and roads were slushy, I was good to go. But what a kindness, I said to them, both to offer me a ride and check with me.

I had led the funeral at the request of the family, to be a support and caring presence for them and for all who came. Yet I too felt well cared for—in the Scripture and hymns and sharing of a life well lived,  in the conversation and food around the tables, by many kindnesses and the mercy of God.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: What kindness have you experienced in this last week? What kindness have you shown to others?