Always Be Kind

Do to others as you would have them do to you. – (Luke 6:31, NIV)

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior. Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! – (Luke 6:31, MSG)

Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them. – (Luke 6:31, VOICE)

Not only is this biblical, but it is an excellent rule to live by. When we treat others the way we want to be treated, what we give is very often what we get back. The thing is, even when kindness, grace and love are not returned, we can walk away in good conscience knowing we did the right thing. No matter what, we are given goodness, love and grace far beyond what God has extended to us. His love floods us to overflowing, and we are meant to give out of the abundance He has granted. Traveling is a perfect opportunity to put this into practice, as often people are stressed, hurried, or weary and out of patience. My prayer is that in all things, I may extend to others what I would want to be given. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and show us how to extend kindness to all.

No matter what comes,

Choose always be kind;

For we never know,

What’s on someone’s mind.

Silent are struggles,

Invisible things;

Heartache and challenge,

That which real life brings.

We may never know,

The difference we make;

But extending good,

Is living God’s way.

Let us rise with love,

As we start each day;

For God’s given us,

More than enough grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us more goodness, kindness, and love than we could ever give away. Thank You that You call us to do unto others what we would want done for us. Forgive us for the times that we have treated others in ways that we would not want to be treated. Help us to extend kindness, goodness and love to all, no matter what we are given. Show us how to love every person we encounter as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your overwhelming kindness to us and thank You that You equip and empower us to be kind to everyone we meet. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. – Titus 3:4-5a

Answer Gently

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)

A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. – (Proverbs 15:1, ERV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels. – (Proverbs 15:1, TLB)

 

Both my mother, and her mother before her, modeled this verse in action for us growing up. On countless occasions, I witnessed each of them diffuse situations, simply by meeting someone kindly, who was engaging with them in a way that did not begin on the kindest of terms. Their smile and genuine love for people would soften the hardest of hearts, and win over the grumpiest of characters. For me, more times than not, a gentle response to a child escalated in the classroom, has provided them room to calm down or breathe long enough to avoid further incident. Walking this road to recovery with mom is no different. Losing mobility, freedom and independence, for a strong, self-sufficient, care-giver like mom, has got to be beyond frustrating. She is handling it gracefully 99% of the time, and it is my charge to be extraordinarily gentle through the 1%, when her frustration gets the better of her. Gentle words affirming her frustration, yet recognizing her strength and progress, have been pivotal in working through moments of challenge. Humor has been a lifeline as well. Thankfully, we know each other better than anyone else, so a mere look speaks volumes, and can inspire giggles in an instant, even in moments of madness.

Much of the reason she is not feeling ready for visitors, (other than the very short list of family and lifelong friends whom have already been in contact), is her own desire to uphold a spirit of gentleness and kindness, as she cannot wrap her head around not being able to be the gracious host that she normally would be. Please continue to be patient with her willingness to see visitors, as I imagine she will become more willing as she is more confident and settled back in her own space.

Today will be the first official day of in-home therapies, as physical therapy kicks off this afternoon at 1pm. We are eagerly awaiting phone calls from the occupational therapist, speech therapist and nursing care facilitator, to figure out what the schedule will be for them as well. Yesterday was a very relaxing day, as mom and I enjoyed watching a few movies between meals, stretching and rests, after the fellas went home. This week will be busy, as we work to discover a new normal with appointments coming into the home to aid in mom’s recovery. May we ever rely on the Lord to be gentle with those around us, for kindness keeps anger at bay.

 

No matter what comes,

Be gentle and kind;

For we do not know,

Battles deep inside.

So often anger,

Is hurt or a fear;

Set free by kindness,

If love braves draw near.

Seek to have courage,

To always be kind;

Give love to others,

And true peace, you’ll find.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that a gentle answer turns away anger. Thank You that this is not simply a theory, but proven, time and time again. Thank You that Jesus modeled this for us throughout His life, death, resurrection and ascension. Forgive us for the times that our responses are not gentle or kind. Teach us to trust and rely on You to give us the wisdom and strength to be Your heart and voice to others, so that they may see Your love in the way that we respond. Show us how to love others well, as we choose to be gentle and kind to all, no matter how others speak or act toward us. Give us grace O God. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose kindness and love, just as You do with us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5:22-23