Allan Emery, who has not only been successful in business but has devoted much of his time to providing leadership to many Christian organizations, is highly respected as a shrewd, yet kind, man. Credit his father.
Allan recalls taking an extended train trip as a youngster. One morning in the dining car, he heard his father, himself an important businessman, comment that the porter seemed to be in pain and walked with a limp. The poor man, it turned out, was suffering from an infected ingrown toenail.
Later in the morning, Allan was surprised to see the porter coming from his parent’s sleeping car. There was a distressed look on his face, and as he passed by big tears fell from his eyes and cascaded down his cheeks. Going into the men’s lounge, the man put his hands over his face and cried. Allen sat down on the bench beside him and at length asked, “Are you crying because your toe hurts?”
“No,” said the man, “it was because of your daddy.”
With great concern, Allen pressed for the story. His parents had returned from breakfast and immediately approached the porter, asking about his toe.
Mr. Emery explained that he wasn’t a doctor, but he might be able to help him. He removed the man’s shoe and sock, and carefully lanced the infected toe, cleaned it, and carefully bandaged it. “It doesn’t hurt at all now,” said the porter through his tears. “It feels fine.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Well, while he was dressing my toe, your daddy asked me if I loved the Lord Jesus. I told him my mother did but that I did not believe as she did. Then he told me that Jesus loved me and had died for me. As I saw your daddy carefully bandaging my foot, I saw a love that was Jesus’ love and I knew I could believe it. We got down on our knees and we prayed and, now, I know that I am important to Jesus and that he loves me.”
With that, the porter burst into tears again. When his sobs subsided, he looked over at Allen and said, “You know, boy, kindness can make you cry.”