Being Kind in an Unkind World....

This is a reprint of a former post...may you be blessed!

In today's fast pace world, the practice and pause for kindness seems to be a lost and dying art. In fact, it is a trait that was once almost ingrained in us as children...to share toys with friends; help someone who was having a bad day or even go the "extra mile" for a driver of an automobile seeking to enter a busy road lined with traffic...BE KIND, sit still and let them enter the roadway.

I am easily reminded of that because yesterday, traveling the roads that I normally frequent, I came upon a busy T-bone intersection and was waiting to make a left turn. As the traffic passed, rather than let a couple of cars pull out onto the highway before I made my left turn, I whipped my car into the side street and hurried on my busy way; however, the stare that I got from the lady in the second car in line at the intersection was like a dagger...and it pierced my conscience with this thought..."What's the big hurry that you could not take a moment and do a kind deed?"

The answer is quite simple...I had made my life more important than those I encountered. Paul did his best to remind us in his letter to the Ephesians, where in chapter 4, verse 32, he writes, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ  forgave you."  It is a simple message, but one that seems to have fallen on deaf ears these days.

My mother was a woman that made doing kind acts a vital part of her life...in fact, one might say that it was in her DNA to do selfless acts of kindness on a daily basis. I can still remember the thousands of cookies she would bake during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays all for one reason....TO GIVE THEM AWAY TO ANY AND EVERYONE THAT CROSSED HER PATH. She was constantly on the lookout for anyone that needed help and she always sought to meet their need, even if it took her out of her comfort zone.

But of course, the greatest example we have of someone doing simple acts of kindness was Jesus himself. He lived his life from beginning until the very end, giving of himself without thought of what he might gain...or even what he might lose. His kindness showed his true character and I believe that is true for each of us.

It is hard to be kind in today's culture. The very essence of the mindset of our culture tells you to look out for #1; take care of yourself and don't let anyone get the best of you; however, that should not be the mindset of one who declares that Jesus is their Savior.

Our mindset is simple....DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO FOR YOU!!!

Whether it's your spouse, your children, your friends at work or at church or a total stranger that has crossed your life's path, KINDNESS IS OF THE LORD and all those who practice acts of kindness will receive a reward....not just in the next life, but here on this earth as well. Jesus promised that even when we reach out to the "least" of those in our culture, we will make a difference in them and we will see a difference in ourselves as well.

Now, I know that I messed up yesterday; but today is a brand new day....and if I am blessed with the opportunity to show, do or demonstrate an act of kindness, my prayer will be simple....HERE AM I, LORD....USE ME!!!!

Praying for God's Grace...Living a Life in Kindness,

WPQ

Poem for the day:

It only takes a moment

To do a selfless deed;

To reach out in loving kindness

To someone who is in need.

To follow our Blessed Savior;

To  seek to lend a hand...

To be used by the Father

In Heaven's glorious plan.

So let His Spirit walk before you,

Just follow where He will lead...

And blessings will surround you

When you meet another's needs.

WPQ © October 2017