be kind...always!

daily, ask God to show you how to recognize Him in those whom you meet. He resides in the homeless, the hungry, yea, but sometimes he can be right next to you in those you wouldn't think twice about ignoring!

Today's topic is: "be kind, always!" With the inauguration of yet another president later this week, I think it only fitting that we focus NOT on politics or the ramifications of those Hollywood stars who have chosen to either participate (or not) but rather, let's focus on something smaller; our own corners of the world. There is more than enough hate. I say....

"Be kind, always."

How easy it is to say! How much harder it can be to do!

How many of you do these things without really paying attention to your actions: gossiping at work about someone else? Turning away when you see a beggar? When you go shopping and see the person in front of you using a "food stamp card"--do you then look at their purchases, thinking of how unfair it is that they have something other than canned soup or a loaf of bread? Watching a disabled person try to navigate through a narrow store aisle and you become impatient because you are in a hurry? Seeing someone count out pennies to pay for a purchase, does that invoke the ire within you? Speeding in your car and cutting someone off just to save a few precious minutes to do_____? How about seeing those food collection boxes at the store and you toss in, perhaps a box of mac-n-cheese? Half-heartedly. Thinking, "well, something is better than nothing!" and feeling justified for your act. Or passing judgment on anyone who doesn't meet your standards because they are black/white/Asian/gay or whatever gets you riled up?

I am reminded of a story about a homeless beggar who was turned away at church by the congregation....only to be introduced as the congregation's new pastor. He had dressed that way to prove a point: that we all sit in judgment of others whether we admit it or not....it was even more grievous that he was judged thus in a house of worship!

I can go on and on (and on) but I tell you this, whatever you measure out will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 says: "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken...you'll be evaluated by the same standard with which you evaluate others. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured out to you again."

Matthew 7:2 says almost the same thing: " For with the judgment that you use you will be judged and with the measure that you use, otherwise you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others..."

Be kind, always!


Kindness is a fruit that is always in season. How wonderful it is to see someone smile or compliment you! To give from the bottom of their heart, not because they have to, but because they want to. We have no idea of the baggage some people carry, yet we tend to treat them as if they are more of a nuisance than as a child of God. It seems the only time people show compassion is when a natural disaster takes place, but Love is an act of God also. Jesus taught us how to love in His Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:3-16). His last admonition of that sermon was: Pass no judgment towards anyone.

So...be kind...always.