Sapagkat tayo’y nilalang ng Diyos; nilikha sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus upang iukol natin ang ating buhay sa paggawa ng mabuti. Iyan ang layuning pinili ng Diyos para sa atin noong una pa man.

Mga Taga-Efeso 2:10

Palabas na si Joel at Marie ng restaurant nang napansin nila ang isang pamilyang nagkukuhanan ng group photo. Una, ang daddy ang may hawak ng kamera. Klik! Tapos ang lola naman and nagshoot. Klik! Sa pangatlong try, ang binatilyong apo naman ang pilit na kumuha ng group selfie. Kaso, sa dami nila, hindi talaga silang magkasyang lahat sa litrato. Joel suggested to his wife, “Marie, why don’t you volunteer to take their photo para kumpleto sila sa isang picture? Magaling kang photographer. Share your talent.” Pero maraming dahilan si Marie, kaya’t si Joel na mismo ang nagvolunteer to take the family picture. Tuwang-tuwa ang buong pamilya. Thank you sila nang thank you.

Habang pauwi, naisip ni Marie na tama ang ginawa ni Joel. Why didn’t she heed her husband’s request? Napaka-simple lang naman nito. Ang katamaran, hiya, or selfishness niya did not do anyone any good. But this incident made her proud of her husband. Perhaps one day, when those kids will see that photo, they will remember the kind stranger who offered his help. Maybe they themselves will follow his lead and learn the spirit of volunteerism. One can never know the impact of a kind gesture.

The Bible cites many small things that led to huge feats. There’s the tiny spark that burns a whole forest. The small rudder of a ship that directs its course. The meager fish and loaves that fed five thousand. At syempre, the mustard seed of faith that moves mountains. Sa kaguluhan ng mundo natin ngayon, a small act of kindness, empowered and done for a big God will go a long long way.