Years ago, there was a movement~ I personally think it’s where the word random kind of blossomed as a hip word~ called Random Acts of Kindness. The purpose was to inspire people to practice being kind to one another…strangers, people you know, the community.
I am a responder. I feel it is as most traits are~ a flaw and a strength. It’s part of my genteel upbringing, which I am so grateful for…it’s also part of my character. There’s something ladylike about being the responder. It’s non-assuming. It’s comfortable. It can be meek and humble.
It’s safe.
It can also be stubborn…not wanting to make the first move. And at times…lazy.
When people love me, I love them wholeheartedly. They may be a mean, hateful person to everyone else, but if they treat me well, I like ’em.
In the past, if someone was mean to me, as a responder, I would just stay out their way.
In my thirties, I’ve sort of been taken over by the Random Acts of Kindness movement. Sort of unknowingly, I began to shift my thinking. It might be partly because I’m more comfortable in my own skin now…or maybe it’s just God growing me.
Now, if someone hates me, I kill them with kindness. And do you know? It works. No, they don’t fall over dead and bad things don’t happen to them. Even better~they end up coming around…liking me after all…or at the very least, tolerating me.
Now when I hear people saying, “So and So didn’t even SPEAK to me…” I want to shake them and say, “Well, did you speak to THEM?”
Don’t wait to be kind. Don’t hold your breath waiting for someone to do the right thing. Do it first.
It is OK to be the aggressor of kindness.
I have to tell you of several times lately when I have been blown away by these random acts.
A few weeks ago, I went into The UPS Store. I was mailing my CD to someone who lives across town. I had the address in my hand and the UPS guy working at the counter saw the name.
He repeated the name and said, “This is so crazy. She cuts my hair all the time. I grew up with her son and I pass her house all the time! If you want, I can just drop this off at her house tonight.”
So, I didn’t spend a dime, someone went out of their way to be nice to me, and I left the store feeling blessed.
There is a friend who I have never personally met, but I feel I know her well. She used to see Nate when he was in Dallas and was always a faithful supporter of his music. When she found out I was in the picture, she showered us with prayers and blessings. I still have two little teddy bears dressed as a bride and groom that she gave Nate and I before we got married.
We lost touch the last several years, but I have never forgotten her kindness and knew she hadn’t forgotten me either. Well, the other day I heard from her. She’d found this blog and contacted me. I was so glad to hear from her. A few days later, she read my birthday post and sent the beautiful flowers.
They’re lovely and they lighten up my whole house. I also look at them and remember. I remember that she prayed for us when we were brokenhearted. She sent cards and said comforting words when a lot of others backed off due to the uncomfortable situation.
Jesus was that way. The woman at the well. It wasn’t the hip thing for him to even be talking to her, but he went overboard with goodness~ He gave her living water and completely turned her life around. (John 4:1-26)
I want to be like that. When there is something that I feel I should do for someone and I act on it…be it buy clothes for a teenager who needs them, hug someone who is dirty, watch a friend’s child, sneak a $20 into someone’s purse…that is showing a little bit of Jesus.
It may not always be comfortable. It may go against my nature to pursue or come across as pushy…or even outgoing…but being nice to people~ strangers or otherwise~ is one time when I will gladly shake being the responder.
Colossians 3:11-12 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
See? I have no excuse.