In today’s world, the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to others.

Sometimes we doubt if our actions will really matter in the bigger scheme of things or in moments of profound grief. In these moments, we tend to forget that in a place of bleakness, even the smallest light can give the warmest comfort.

Just about a year ago, a jogger was running her usual route when the unexpected happened. In those moments, she realized how much her action gave comfort to someone who was enduring a great loss.

Emily Beineman was on her daily run with her dog when she heard a girl call out to her.

“May I pet your puppy?” the little girl said, according to Beineman’s Facebook post. Beineman obliged as her dog Blue was a friendly one.

“I smiled and said ‘Of course! As long as your parents don’t mind!’ And the little girl did a shy little smile,” Beineman recalled in her post. Her intentions were innocent but it made her realize about the harsh reality that the little girl was going through.

“Oh my parents aren’t out here,” the little girl replied to her, “My mom’s inside and my daddy died. We are at his funeral.”

Raelynn Nast who was six at that time called out to Beineman as she was passing by the funeral home.

She was outside the McConnel Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood when the jogger and her dog passed by. Her father died from colon cancer.

While it was difficult to find the words to say at that time, Blue, Beineman’s dog, knew exactly what to do.

“Before I could say a word, Blue walked up to this little girl and ever so gently sat down in front of her.” She said in the post.

This became the beginning of a friendship that blossomed through kindness.

“The girl wrapped her arms around Blue’s neck and wouldn’t let go,” Beineman said in the post. “This little girl’s friends and family were all surrounding us and as I looked around there wasn’t a dry eye to be found (except this little girl).”

At that moment, Blue’s presence and Beineman’s kindness became an oasis from the grief. She admitted that she also cried a bit that time and decided to just sit down for a while so they could talk.

Then, Nast asked her for a favor.

“She then jumps up and says ‘I want you to meet my Daddy!’ Can you please come meet him?” Nast said, according to Beineman’s post. The jogger was flattered with such honor.

“Everyone was kind of looking around like, ‘Where did she come from?’ And she came in right next to Rae like they’d known each other for so long,” Lacey Nast told CBS News. “There was that connection there.”

Raelynn’s family was grateful for Beineman.

“This little girl’s aunt and uncle looked at me with tears running down their face & her aunt whispered ‘I think God led you and blue over here today for a reason’,” she said in the post but Beineman has someone else to thank.

“I’ve always referred to Blue as my “gentle giant” because I’ve always felt that she could sense when someone is sad/upset/etc. and has this overwhelming calmness about her that is indescribable.” She said, “Today, I am thankful for many things. But I’m especially thankful for God allowing us to meet this special little girl on one of the hardest days of her life.”

Watch how a jogger and a girl became friends with a simple kind gesture.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: YouTube – CBS Evening News, KIRO 7, CBS, Facebook – Emily Beineman