In a split second the skyscrapers might collapse, the trees in the big forests might burn, and governments may be overturned. But our small acts of kindness, done in all honesty and compassion, will last. The world may not have seen them or saw them and forgot, but God sees and he remembers. These deeds of ours are recorded in heaven for eternity. God will reward us for them more than for those where we took a lot of time and effort to gain approval from people.
We weak human beings are easily impressed by things that are external and big. But God is not impressed by external things; he cares about the quiet and hidden service and the attitude of the heart that produced it (1 Samuel 16:7). "When you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4)
These small acts might take the form of a single word of appreciation, a genuine smile to someone we meet, or a kind reply to an email. It might just be telling someone you have been praying for them, or a short visit to a person who is sick or lonely.
May God help us never to despise the small acts of kindness, whether we are doing them or someone is doing them for us. When the very modest second temple was being built by Zerubbabel, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, "Who has despised the day of small things?" (Zechariah 4:10). No matter how small or despised the work may seem to us, in reality it will become great and respected, because God-the only one whose opinion really matters-sees it, appreciates it, and has put his seal on it.
Let us miss no opportunity to do these small acts of kindness. Through them we demonstrate the kindheartedness of our caring God.