Learning True Kindness from Dad

Ralph’s nightmare had just walked through the door, a masked man there to rob his store.

---

As a convenience store owner, few figures were more terrifying. It was a rough neighborhood. Some had been shot.

Ralph saw no weapon, but the man’s menacing tone was scary enough. He instructed Ralph to hand over the cash. Ralph’s hands trembled as he pulled the bills from the drawer.

As the clandestine thief turned to rush out, something flashed in Ralph’s mind. Was it the gait? His voice? He realized he knew who it was!

“Abraham,” he called out, but it was too late. This man he knew was gone, as were Ralph’s earnings that day.

Owning a small business was a triumph for Ralph. He had immigrated from Palestine years before. Strange culture. New language. Long, grueling hours in the store. With a wife and four kids, he had barely scraped by. This was a devastating loss.

Everyone in the local housing projects counted on him. They relied on his credit to feed their families between paychecks. This day would hurt not only Ralph, but his ability to help them, as well.

Ralph should have been enraged at the thief. This was a man he had helped. But Ralph only felt sad. He felt pity for a man who had to resort to something so low.

Sam continues his story:

“When the police came, Dad protested. He didn’t want them to arrest Abraham. He pitied the desperate old man, but the police insisted. Justice had to be done. Abraham was found, handcuffed and taken away.

On the morning of Abraham’s trial, he stopped by Dad’s store. He told my dad how awful he felt, how hungry he had been, and asked for forgiveness.

Dad gave him a hug, then gave him a snack. With not a penny for bus fair, my dad also gave him a ride to the court.

At the hearing, Dad spoke eloquently on Abraham’s behalf. Although he would do a bit of jail time, when Abraham was released, Dad helped him once again.”

What did I learn from my dad?

“He was tough. He made it despite the odds. What most paved his way? My dad has a remarkable heart. Like his dreams, his kindness to others could not be crushed. He believed then, as he does to this day, that those who hurt you still deserve love and another chance. That is Dad’s way.”

Thank you to our friend Sam Rasoul for sharing this inspiring story of his remarkable dad.

Sam is the youngest person in history to run for U.S. Congress.

He and his wife knocked on 30,000 doors in 22 months. Sam ultimately lost, but scored more votes than any other against his 17-year Congressional incumbent.

Sam obtained his MBA and is now the Chief Operating Officer of a major international charity. Putting the lessons he learned from his dad into practice, Sam devotes his days to traveling the globe, meeting world leaders, and helping others in life.