(1) A month ago, two days after my father passed away, I returned to the office and found an envelope in my pigeonhole. When I opened it, I found a book on how to face grief. At once, warmth filled my heart and my eyes grew moist. Even before I opened the book in my hands, the feeling of being remembered and comforted had already filled my heart. “Who sent me this book?” There was only a simple English first name on the envelope, without a surname. Later, after confirming that this “thoughtful person” was one of my co-workers, I thanked him personally. He told me that the book had originally been bought for himself—he had a close relative who was seriously ill, and he wanted to prepare himself emotionally for the loss he might soon face. Later, another co-worker also experienced the grief of bereavement, so he lent the book to that co-worker. When he learned that I too was going through the pain of losing a loved one, he asked the other co-worker to lend the book to me first. I am grateful to these two co-workers for sharing this counseling resource with me and quietly sharing the burden of my grief.

       (2) Last year, I took my father to Sai Kung for a half-day outing. Since he had become mobility-impaired, he had not gone out to the countryside for more than ten years. Before we set off, I asked a kindergarten classmate who lives in Sai Kung for recommendations on nice local food. At first, he recommended one or two restaurants, but shortly afterward he called and said that he could have lunch with us. In the end, he accompanied us as we strolled along Sai Kung Pier, chatting and taking photos. Then we met up with his wife and son and went for dim sum together. When I thought I was being clever and quietly went to the cashier to pay the bill, I found that this hospitable old classmate had already paid the seafood stall in secret, chosen some fresh and plump seafood, and asked the restaurant to prepare a feast for us. He did not say many polite words, but through treating us to the meal, driving us around, and simply being present, he expressed his love and regard for an old friend and his elder. Although he has not yet come to faith, he lived out in action the teaching to “practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

        (3) Many years ago, a small fire broke out in one corner of the church, prompting firefighters to come and assist. The fire was quickly extinguished, and thankfully, apart from the item that had caught fire, nothing else was affected. During the evaluation afterward, I found that the item belonged to a church member I knew, and I had not noticed that it had been left charging unattended. Just as I was feeling uneasy over what might have been my negligence, a co-worker said to those present, “This was an accident.” That simple sentence lifted a heavy weight on my heart. It made me feel that I was not being investigated or held accountable, but that I was understood and empathized with. Years later, when I mentioned this incident again to that co-worker, he seemed to have long forgotten it and simply said calmly, “I suppose I only said what needed to be said at that time.” What he called “what needed to be said” may have seemed insignificant to him, but to me at that time, it was immensely important, filled with care and affirmation.

         Brothers and sisters, what words or actions of love hidden in or revealed through the smallest details come to your mind? Paul exhorted the church in Corinth: “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). Let us not only be moved by the love of others, but also build others up in all things (whether great or small) through love.