Try a Little Kindness.

I was having a bit of “writer’s block” yesterday as I was looking for a word or thought to inspire me for this day’s blog. I walked out onto my screened in patio and saw the wall hanging that the previous owners left behind. “Think deeply. Speak gently. Love much. Laugh a lot. Work hard. Give freely and BE KIND." I thought, "That's a great mission statement for anyone!"

I really do endeavor to live those words daily – some days I’m right on – and not so much on other days. Each one of those phrases is a sermon in themselves, but the one that stood out on this day was BE KIND. Kindness is a word that should be proclaimed in neon lights. It's a word we could sure use a lot more of these days.

On Monday, a precious 94-year young friend in Tulsa, Thelma Moore, received her promotion to heaven. This gracious and KIND woman was a mentor and role model in faith and class to me. I saw her last at her long-care facility in April. She didn't remember too much about our time together because of memory loss, but it didn't matter. I remembered. I remember her always complimenting and encouraging me when I was the president of our women’s ministries. I smiled when nurses or aides would come into the room and even then would introduce me as her most beautiful and dearest friend that she grew up with, who lived near each other and went to church together. There were some gaps in those memories, but no worries......I remembered this KIND and loving woman. Kindness sticks. It leaves a mark on our lives.

I’ve personally known kindness in action. I’m thinking about the kindness of my children’s friends in Austin who invited me over to their home for dinner and another couple who took me out to dinner when my children were out of town. I’m reminded about my next door neighbors who watch over my property like hawks while I’m out of town and alert me if I’ve left my garage door open AGAIN. I’m thinking about the kindness that my children and grandchildren show me when I show up at their homes. Since my daughter’s family is nearby and I see them so often, it should be no big deal when I come in the front door, but each and every time, I’m treated like royalty walked in. Each one of them gets up from where they are to rush to me and give me hugs like it had been months. I have best friends in Tulsa who have a room available for me to stay with them. On my next trip to Tulsa, I’ll be staying with a friend from the community I lived in – the one that let me stay in her home for over six weeks before my move to Texas. Talk about kindness! Kindness comes in so many different forms.

Kind words and kind actions are like kisses from heaven. I am forever grateful for those who have been kind to me, spoken grace and encouragement into me. My mind is flooded with examples as I am sure you can reflect on encounters from your own life where a kind word ministered more deeply than the speaker could have ever imagined. Those kind words from others have caused me to realize that every day I have the opportunity to let kindness pour out from me. I want to be the person who is sensitive to God’s prompting when He nudges me to be kind and to speak kindness into the life of another.

If you’re reading this post, you are probably one of those kisses from heaven to me, because you embrace me, empower me, motivate me and are SO KIND to me when you “like” or “love” one of my posts, when you take the time to comment brings me so much joy. From the bottom of my heart…..I thank you!

In the words of Glen Campbell’s old song, maybe we should all “Try a Little Kindness”:
You've got to try a little kindness, yes, show a little kindness.
Yes, shine your light for everyone to see.
And if you'll try a little kindness and you'll overlook the blindness,
Of the narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

Yesterday, while speaking to a visitor and her daughter at our 55+ community, I asked if she was married or single. She immediately teared up and said she was a recent widow. I knew what she was feeling and I told her so. After my husband went to heaven, I weighed my options on keeping my 3,600 square foot home or make a move to a smaller home and simpler lifestyle. The man who was marketing this community, asked me the very same question. And, like this precious lady, I teared up when I said I was a recent widow. His words were so kind as he said, “I know how you feel. My wife passed away three years ago.” Yesterday, I was able to comfort this visitor. That reminds me of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 1:4 “That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with.”

Kindness. A word that we could sure use a lot more of these days. I’ve known kindness in action. Different ones who knew my husband will come to me and say “I remember when Ron said……” or “I still carry the ‘hope’ rock he gave us in our Bible Study” or “He had the most beautiful head of hair” or “He always had a good word to say.” They comforted me then, and now, when they remember him to me.” They are being so kind.

I sincerely want to be the person who encourages. I want to be acutely aware of the needs of others.

I know what it is to witness so many levels of suffering that I didn’t know or even relate to before I walked alongside my sweetheart in his battle against cancer, and eventually his graduation to heaven. As I reflect back, I am reminded of kind words spoken to me and how God used them as healing ointment for my soul. I consistently clung to God for strength, but it was the encouraging words, the delicious home-cooked meals, the calls, the support and offers to help us, was like a shelter in the midst of our raging storm.

Today, six years later, those kind words still comfort me and bring me solace. When, at church, I would speak or give the scripture readings, my sweetheart would always pat my hand or hug me when I returned to my seat and he'd whisper "Good job!" Today, friends who remember that, are on point when they hug me and say “Good job”. They know I need those words of encouragement. I know it's a little wimpy sounding, but oh the breath of fresh air when those soft, spoken words hit my ears. Those kind words have been like kisses from heaven.

I am forever grateful for those who have spoken grace and encouragement into me. My mind is flooded with examples as I am sure you can reflect on encounters from your own life where a kind word ministered more deeply than the speaker could have ever imagined. Those kind words from others have caused me to realize that every day I have the opportunity to let kindness pour out from me. I want to be the person who is sensitive to God’s prompting when He nudges me to be kind and to speak kindness into the life of another.

In the words of Glen Campbell’s old song, maybe we should all “Try a Little Kindness”:

You've got to try a little kindness yes show a little kindness.
Yes shine your light for everyone to see.
And if you'll try a little kindness and you'll overlook the blindness,
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets.

Try a Little Kindness

Day 304 of Photo Inspirations -- Try a Little Kindness
Remember Glen Campbell's song from the 70's --  "Try a Little Kindness"?
If you see your brother standing by the road,
With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed.
And if you see your sister falling by the way,
Just stop and say you're goin' the wrong way.
You've got to try a little kindness, yes, show a little kindness.
Yes, shine your light for everyone to see.
And if you'll try a little kindness, and you'll overlook the blindness,
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets.

I was reminded of that song yesterday when I walked into Wal-Mart and passed the Redbox kiosk with this $1.00 in a plastic baggie taped to it, with a note that said "Enjoy a movie.  Pay it forward!"  I loved it.  I stood back and saw several people check out the note and keep on moving.  I'm sure they were like me and figured -- "give it to someone who needs the dollar".

That's just a small example of kindness. It really seems that kindness and generosity have gone to a whole new level in our world. I love seeing the generosity of people who do random acts of kindness like those who pay for the meal of the car behind them in the drive through line, or who stop to help someone with a flat tire, or who leave a little "extra" tip for their waitress.

I'm still teaching a Bible Study on the Fruit of the Spirit and this last week's lesson was about the quality of Kindness -- so of course seeing this Redbox "kindness" reemphasized how it works.  When we genuinely care about people, we find ourselves paying attention to what might bless them.  We might even think about their circumstances and become concerned about their welfare.  We're willing to get involved in their lives.  As our love grows, the details of their lives become more and more important to us.  It begins to really matter to us if they are sad or discouraged, struggling or in pain, needy or lonely.  Caring about others sure does eliminate unfriendliness, a lack of compassion, and a judgmental spirit.  So we need to ask God to help us have greater love and compassion for others.

A sure sign that our concern for people is growing is when we find ourselves looking at people and thinking, “What would help her?  What would help him?  What does he need?  What does she need?”  We might even ask God, “How can I serve this person? How can I make his or her life easier?

Let's TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS today......perhaps our kindness might just be what someone needs to change their dark world to light and bright!

Ephesians 4:31-32 “ Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be KIND to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another..."