A Divine Encounter: How a Simple Act of Kindness Became a Blessing

I recently attended the wedding of a loved one, which spanned two days. It was a beautiful and memorable experience. Nigerian weddings often follow this format—one day dedicated to the traditional wedding and the other to the white wedding. On the evening of the white wedding, as the celebration was winding down, I decided to step out with my friend to drop off some of the souvenirs we had received into my car.

As we stepped outside, we noticed a young man lingering nearby, looking stranded and unsure of what to do. My friend and I went to our respective cars to unload our gifts. As she was finishing up, the young man approached her and asked if she had a jump cable to help jumpstart his car. She found the question a little amusing, wondering who would ask for such a thing at that hour of the night.

When I returned to her car, she jokingly shared what had happened, and it struck me that I actually owned a rechargeable battery jumper. I wasn’t certain if it still had enough charge, but I figured we could give it a try. So, I called over the young man, who had been standing there looking visibly frustrated and disappointed. His face immediately lit up with relief when I told him I had a battery charger.

Together, we walked to my car, and I opened the trunk to retrieve it. He took it eagerly and went straight to his car to jumpstart the battery. Watching his joy and gratitude made me realize how meaningful it can be to help someone in need, even in the simplest ways.

Interestingly, I had considered returning that battery charger a while back because I hadn’t needed it since purchasing it. But I never got around to doing so. Looking back now, I can see how God orders our steps in ways we often don’t understand. That night, it became clear to me that sometimes we hold onto things for a reason—because they might be exactly what someone else needs at the right time.

This experience reminded me of God’s provision. The Bible assures us:

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26, ESV).

And again, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29, ESV).

We, too, can be instruments of His provision for others. A simple act of kindness, like lending a listening ear or offering practical help, can make a world of difference in someone’s life.

That night, I was grateful to be able to help not just the young man but also his family—his mother and siblings were in the car with him. As they drove off with smiles on their faces, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing I had played a small part in their relief and joy.

The Bible reminds us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16, ESV). Let us all strive to be a blessing in whatever ways we can.

However, it’s important to remember to exercise caution when helping strangers. Always ensure that the environment is safe before extending help. Kindness is powerful, but safety should never be compromised.