Fragile, Handle With Care

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24


I usually laugh then get mad when a box arrives at our home or business that says in big bold red letters, “Fragile, Handle With Care” and usually has a symbol of a broken glass to further communicate the contents of the package can be easily broken only to find the box torn, crushed and openly mishandled. It seems like the package is deliberately sought out for abusive treatment. In reality, people are made by God, though resilient in many ways if the truth be told, we are fragile.

It was Mark Twain who once said, “I can go for three months on just one good compliment.” Scripture puts it like this, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Since everyone you come in contact today is fighting some sort of battle we do well to seek to ease their burdens not pile on them. Yes, life is fragile, and people are too. God has promised to provide strength in our weakness as God knows we are broken people, living in a broken world amidst other broken people. One way God provides strength is in relationships, the contact we make with other people. Its not always the big things that people do that we remember the most, It’s the seemingly little insignificant things done in love and as an act of kindness that means the most. The following story serves as a great reminder of the power of caring.  


One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives. He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'. There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends he said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.' Thanks,' he said as he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.' I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. (End of Story)

Yes, loved one, true or otherwise this story makes a valuable point. We can and do make a difference in peoples lives, and if you are willing, God will use you to touch someone else’s life for eternity if only you will simply let God live and love others through you today.


“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1 Peter 4:10


I LOVE YOU!