Janet and I have been busy getting ready for a visit from her sisters next week and trying to catch up on some delayed errands that we we weren’t able to get done last week. To complicate things, it’s very hot here – in fact many people are only working a half day and landscape companies are letting our neighborhood association know that it was too unsafe for the crews to work past noon. It was no joke – it was hot – and humid! So tempers are running hot, people have to work in spurts and we don’t know when the weather will break.
It was in this environment that Janet and I stopped at a Barnes and Noble bookstore to take a break, sit down and have a snack. While we were there, Janet wanted to pick up a new book and I headed through the store to the cooking section – with an emphasis on making ice cream – one of the new things I have undertaken to learn. It’s Janet’s favorite dessert and I thought it would be fun to learn the ropes.
Anyway, as I was heading through the store, a woman was involved in a conversation on her Apple watch while her son, barely old enough to walk, was gallivanting around with an inquisitive grin on his face. Of course, he wasn’t watching where he was going and he almost ran into me. I think he caught me out of the corner of his eye and stopped just short of colliding.
I smiled at him, in fact I waved and said “Hi”; and then continued on my way. As I was beginning to start down the next aisle, this little boy’s Mom called out to me. I turned around and she thanked me for being kind to her son! I was stunned that she would take the time or even have the inclination to do that. At first I didn’t get it. Of course, I acknowledged her appreciation and let her know that Janet and I had both children and grandchildren who were all that age years ago. She smiled and thanked me again…
Back when I was a young boy, courtesy and kindness were expected. It was a way of life. In many ways, it was a gentler time. Nowadays, polarity and anger seem to be watchwords that define our society. Kindness has been the exception rather than the rule and I wish things would go back to the way they used to be. I don’t know that my wish will come true in the near future.
Our verse for tonight comes from Paul’s letter to the church at Colossi. Paul reminds his church, and us, in Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
My encouragement is that kindness is always the right answer. My prayer is that we may all take a moment to work on our kindness and represent the God of the universe in a way that is uncommon in today’s world. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…