Let's Be Kindness Junkies

A "junkie" is someone consumed by an addiction. What a difference it would make if we were all addicted to being kind -- just can't help ourselves. It's who we are and what we do. A few days ago I told the story of our helping a lady whose keys were locked in her car and her cell phone was dead. She was so relieved when we showed up to help her. But, what if we had parked in another location or what if we were so into ourselves in conversation that we didn’t even notice her?

I believe we are all God’s messengers on assignment when we leave our homes (or even in our homes when we sense a nudge to encourage a family member or call someone to encourage them). Most of the time, kindness always begins with our eyes — the way we observe the world and are sensitive to the needs of other people.

That's what I caught when reading about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:33: “When HE SAW the man’s condition, his heart was filled with pity”. Notice that “he saw.” That's our starting point. If we want to learn to be a kinder person, our world view must change to being an observer of the needs around us. When we're in a hurry -- kindness opportunities evade us. If we're wanting to be a "kindness junkie", then we must slow down! Distractions are the death of kindness.

1 Corinthians 10:24 says “Look out for the good of others”. The first step to kindness is to ask God to give us a sensitive, spiritual radar to be on the lookout for people around us who are hurting emotionally, spiritually, and physically. To be on high alert for the opportunity to spread a little kindness with our words and our actions.

I'm determined to be a kindness junkie. I want to be aware of those who need kindness ministered to them. I want a bumper crop of kindness to harvest. It’s not always easy to see the needs of other people, especially when they’re on the other side of the road. But it’s the starting point of kindness. Maybe it’s time to slow down and even stop to smell the roses because the roses we smell, might be someone who needs Jesus in human flesh.

Keeping My Eyes Directly Forward

Twice now, I have gone to my mailbox and while walking back to the house and looking at the mail, my feet hit where the curb declines for the driveway and twice I have hit the ground hard – lacerations on my hands and knees and this last time, hit my forehead hard. Thank God, other than the scrapes, I was okay. Thankfully, twice fallen and twice no one saw me fall! Whew!

On this day, May 6, 2012, I ran the Vancouver, Canada Half Marathon. I finished in 2:29. It would have been faster except a little lady carrying groceries stepped off the curb right in front of me and tripped me. I went tumbling. Scrapes and cuts on elbows, knees, hands. I survived to tell this story.

I was recalling all these falls (and, oh, I could tell you more), and feeling so grateful that I have never had a broken or fractured bone. I know my angels must get "time and a half" for their duty with me. Simply distracted, not being cautious and aware of my surroundings. It almost sounds like I’m prone to accidents but more than anything, I think I’m prone to not paying attention to where I am and what I’m doing.

This scripture inspired this blog: “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” (Proverbs 4:25-26) Well, if that doesn’t explain my “Case of the Falls”, I don’t know what does.

I hear God speaking. “Focus, Donna, focus! Look forward. Fix your eyes on Me!" I knew what He meant. It’s so easy and not just in the physical sense to get distracted, but also in the spiritual and emotional. We can be distracted by concern, worry, doubt, unbelief and when we do – we’ll stumble with the weight of the world on our shoulders. I was truly focused on that half marathon and at Mile 3, was in turbo mode and feeling good. Then that little lady caused me to fall. It wasn’t anything I did. She wasn't looking.

It was like those things that the enemy uses to trip us up when we are making great progress. Something we say or do or someone else says or does or something that takes our focus off the goal that is set before us. About FACE! I get it. Do you get it, too? We must keep our eyes looking directly forward at Him!

Father God, please help us keep focused on the path you have set before us. Please keep us from the distractions the enemy uses to take our eyes off of You and your promises. Please give us the wisdom to discern the enemy's ploys and keep our eyes focused on You Whose plans for us are good and not evil; a straight path and a perfect time and finish. No more looking back or down or sideways -- only forward. Keep reminding us, O Lord, that You are in control of everything and as long as we keep our eyes on You and walk in Your ways, everything will work out according to your perfect will. Thank You for your faithfulness. In Jesus' name. Amen.