You know those thoughtful words you want to say to someone who has been especially nice? Or that encouraging note you plan to write to a friend who seems a little down? You might want to do those acts of kindness now, because you never know when it might be too late.

As we think about taking action on our kind intentions, we can learn from Charles R. Haynsworth Jr., a businessman who encouraged his employees--just in time.

Although Mr. Haynsworth did not normally sign his workers' paychecks, he did so in September 1994. The regular signatories were out of the office, so he took over the task. When he signed the checks, Mr. Haynsworth took the extra effort to attach a note to each check, expressing thanks to his employees for their service.

The next day Charles Haynsworth died unexpectedly, but not before he had personally given a final word of thanks in those notes to everyone on his staff.

One of the best evidences of our faith in Christ is our kindness to others (Jn. 13:35; Rom. 12:10). Take the time today to write a note of appreciation or to do a special kindness for someone you love. Don't wait until it's too late to be kind.  — Dave Branon