please, choose kind

Right before Christmas I read this.

You are going to come in contact with an awful lot of people who are at their absolute breaking point this month. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, strangers in the grocery store, retail workers, etc. While it may be the merriest time of year for some, it may be the saddest, most stressful, loneliest, most heartbreaking for others. We are all busy. But we are not too busy to be kind, caring, and patient. Remember the best thing you can give someone this season is your love and kindness.

Even though we are no longer in the Christmas season, I believe people experience these feelings no matter what the season. And the best thing we can give is love and kindness.

Have you ever met someone - someone who showed kindness in its purest and most loving form? I have. I didn’t receive this kindness and love because I deserved it. And it wasn’t given with an expectation for something in return.

This kindness came at a price, though. That price… a life.

In December, we celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus, who showed us then and continues to show us each day the most loving kindness - through his life, death, and resurrection.

Please join me. Not just at Christmas; not just today - but every day. Pause and smile. Say hello and love deeply those who cross your path. People all around are hurting. We have the opportunity to show the loving kindness of Jesus - today and every day.

Jesus, thank you… thank you for your perfect sacrifice and bringing me near. Thank you for your unending mercy and kindness. Thank you for your blood that washed away my sin to satisfy the Father’s wrath. Help us live for you - modeling your perfect love.