CONSIDERATE KINDNESS

Jeremiah 14:11-16:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 25:1-5

“If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken! Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.  May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.”

“Turn us again to yourself, O God Almighty. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

It does not happen very often, but once in a while I get a note from someone thanking me for the impact I have had on their lives. It never fails to make my week. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate knowing that someone else values their friendship and counsel? Then, there are those of whom I am most proud and take inspiration from. These folks take the Gospel personally; work diligently to apply it in their own lives; and share it, along with their personal successes and failures, with others. I understand a little of how Paul must have felt. Isolated, imprisoned and alone, he clung to his memories of those he knew as brothers and sisters in the faith. He took real pleasure and joy in knowing that his efforts on their behalf bore great fruit. At times, these kinds of memories were all he had to hang onto to inspire him to stay on his most difficult course. I think we do not spend enough time recognizing those we admire and appreciate or letting others know what joy their growth and development gives us. Nowhere is this any more true than in our own families.

As a parent, the joy I experience with each success of my kids would be hard for them to imagine. Each one of them is different and special in their own right, and it would be impossible for me to ever say all they mean to me. But that’s no excuse not to try. Two of my kids are currently job hunting, one as a lawyer, and one as a teacher. They picked a truly lousy time to graduate, and I am sure they are scared and intimidated by their view of the future. It is easy – too easy – to get on them about their job hunting efforts and to induce even more stress than they already feel. But if I think about it, it is just as easy to encourage them and let them know they can only fall so far. All our kids are past the age of being comfortable asking Mom and Dad for help or guidance. However, they sometimes still can benefit from the voice of experience, and a word of encouragement is always welcome. Moreover, when help is offered, it is usually gratefully accepted, even when not initially sought. I need to be more diligent about lifting my kids up and encouraging them, especially when they are in the middle of a crisis.

In a word, we dare not let kindness become a lost art, particularly in our families. In an unkind world, it is easy to forget the power of praise and thanksgiving. However, there is little else that has the impact of appreciation for another person. We all want to know we matter to someone else. This week is a good time to share that kind word with someone else. Let them know the world would be a colder, smaller place without them in it. We can always afford the time to lift someone else’s spirit. After all, it only takes seconds longer to be considerate instead of callous, and the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.