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Sometimes we confuse the size of a kindness with its result.
Certainly I am guilty of thinking I have to do some grand gesture. Turns out that can be completely wrong: sometimes people do not want the big grand gesture or are embarrassed if you do it because you are drawing attention to them in the wrong way.
A smile, a kind word, even a moment where we are able to express that in some way we know what they are going through and care, that no matter what the circumstances they are in they are still worthy simply because they are created in the image of God.
After all, no kindness - no matter how small - is ever wasted.
That last paragraph sums up your point neatly TB and that last sentence gets to the nub of the issue......two thumbs up today sir. After all, what does a smile cost you?
ReplyDeleteThank you Nylon12!
DeleteI have been reading a fair amount of Francis Schaeffer of late, and one of his key emphases is the fact that we need to treat people as created in the image of God, even if we do not support what they say or do. A smile is a pretty cost-free way to do that.
This is excellent. I think too often we're more focused on how someone makes us feel, rather than how we can influence how they feel.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Too often I make my interactions with people transactional - what I am getting for what I am offering. I need to make them more focused on what the other person is receiving and what I am becoming by offering them kindness.
DeleteA different way to say it, coming through the study "Rooted" that I am co-leading, is that too often we focus on our agenda in serving others instead of how serving others is making us more Christ-like.
Southbound on 288 to the tower site, and some hot rod blows by me at 100+. Cuts over in front of me and slams on his brakes... keeps going until the shoulder. I slow down to avoid the cut, then watch as he puts on the 4 way flashers and tries to flag me down out the window. I pull in behind him, and he's a lawyer, late for court. We have a mission! We fly down to a station, get a can and some gas and get him on his way. He gave me his card and said, "any time you need me, call." He made my day, and I made his. It was a good trade. 15 minutes of time, more or less....
ReplyDeleteThat is it exactly, STxAR. And who knows the difference that simple act made (We will, of course, in eternity. Just not necessarily now.).
DeleteI actually try to say 9 kind things to (any particular person) for every negative thing I must say to them.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good ratio and practice, John.
DeleteI find timing of kindness can be very powerful as well. Seeing someone obviously having a bad day and doing a small act of kindness can have more affect than doing a large act of kindness to someone who is having the time of their life already.
ReplyDeleteEd, that is a great point. It also means that we at some level aware of what is going on in people's lives. That sort of human contact is a welcome benefit as well.
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