2 Timothy 1:15-17 - A Kindness Not To Be Forgotten

I was going through some books that had belonged to my parents and came across a couple cards used as bookmarks. The first one puzzled me.

Engraved at the top was the simple phrase, "With Sympathy." Under it, written with a fountain pen were the words: "Pre-Makeready Dept. R. R. Donnelley & Sons." Two tiny holes at the top of the card indicated that it had been pinned at one time. Then I realized that it had been pinned to a floral arrangement. My dad was working as a photoengraver for the printer, R. R. Donnelley & Sons, when his father died in 1951. The guys in his department had chipped in to buy some flowers.

The second card was a bit more formal. The entire message was engraved: "With Sincere Sympathy. The officers and employees of R. R. Donnelley and Sons Company." The card wasn't as yellowed as the first one. Florists had started using a ribbon to attach such cards instead of a straight pin. It was from an arrangement for my grandmother's funeral in 1964.

The older card seemed more sincere. It was from my dad's department. It had a handwritten signature. Nevertheless, my dad--who was far from a sentimentalist--had kept both cards for years. To him, it was a kindness not to be forgotten. 

King David never forgot the kindness shown to him by his loyal friend, Jonathan, and the commitment they had to each other's families. Years after Jonathan had died, David looked for anyone remaining of Jonathan's household to whom he could return the kindness. (2 Samuel 9)

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul was arrested for preaching the Gospel (2 Timothy 4:9-16). Many friends deserted him, for a variety of reasons. At the same time he wrote to Timothy:

"15 As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me." (2 Timothy 1:15-17, New Living Translation, 2015)

I'll never forget when I had completed Bible school in Chicago, moved to my parent's home in North Carolina where I knew hardly anyone. A classmate from New York State came all the way to surprise me with a visit. It was a true gift of friendship.

After we moved to Iowa, friends from Missouri showed up. We ran into them on a country road... they were looking for us!

Who has shown you support in the past? Perhaps they gave you a commendation for a job. Maybe it was a listening ear when you needed someone's presence. Or they may have given you a word of encouragement; a thoughtful gift that was particularly suited to you.

Lord, You have brought many people into our lives who have been a vehicle for your grace. Keep us thankful not only to You, but to all those people who were there when we needed them. In Jesus' name, Amen.