Kindness Goes a Long Way

The fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness . . . – Galatians 5:22

At the end of Fall Break, Tonya and I were to fly home from Miami at 1 pm.  We could tell by how time was creeping up on that 1:00 time that our flight was going to be delayed.  After all was said and done, the flight crew had “timed out” and in order for us to get home, a new crew was going to have to come in and fly us home.  They weren’t all going to be able to arrive until 6, so it was going to be a long afternoon.  

As we boarded the flight, you could just tell that the majority of the people on the plane were aggravated.  You could also tell that the crew was simply trying to make the best of it.  They didn’t want to come in early any more than we wanted to get in the air seven hours later than our original flight time.  It just seemed like this flight was going to be barely tolerable.

In just my little section of the plane, a dude cursed the female flight attendant for closing the bathrooms during turbulence, which she clearly announced over the intercom beforehand.  When confronted afterwards in front of his family, he tried to say he didn’t curse.  Another guy sitting next to me snapped at the cart group for not placing a water in his hands fast enough.  

The tension on that plane was so high, and I mean from me as well.  It was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever been.  When two of the workers came by me, the Spirit of God prompted me to tell them, “Thank you guys for coming in and helping us get home.”  All that seriousness and tension just broke.  It was the first time I saw them smile and laugh.  They couldn’t believe someone had said something nice to them.  The ride after that was much more tolerable.  

Later the next week, a student I had been working with for two years emailed me and thanked me for all I had done for him.  For just a moment, I think God let me feel in return what those two on the airplane felt. 

I don’t know what is going on in this world, but we are in trouble.  You can just feel the darkness getting darker.  When I’m sitting here writing about a “thank you” and what a difference it made . . . that can’t be a good sign for the direction our planet is headed.  

Lord, I don’t want to be pessimistic.  I know You can do all things.  I ask that You send revival to our nation.  May people grow in You and therefore grow in the fruits of the Spirit.  I don’t have any of them on my own.  I have no love for my enemies.  I have no joy in my responsibilities.  You know I have no patience.  But You give them to me at the right place and right time.  Help me display them simply because You are the Lord of my life.  Help us, Lord.  You know we need it.  Amen

Kindness (Part 2)

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:4

It is almost unbelievable how badly this past Monday started out.  Of course, now it doesn’t seem like a big deal at all, but in the moment . . . it was crazy.  It was the first cold, rainy day of Fall.  I went to get my bus to start the day, and my heart immediately sank.  Two activity busses had blocked me from being able to pull out.  I tried to put on my best attitude and went through the process of moving one of the busses.  When I finally sat in my bus seat, the rain from my jacket streamed down the back of my pants.  I just said, “You’ve got to be kidding,” stood up, and adjusted my situation.  

I got to school, no umbrella, made a run for it, and got soaked.  Of course, being me, I forgot something.  So, I did the whole thing again and got more soaked.  During my first period class, I had forgotten my reading glasses.  I knew where I had left them, so I had a teacher stand guard and quickly ran off to get them.  When I was almost at the room, I said that really dumb thing we all tend to say when things aren’t going our way, “What in the world else is going to go wrong today?”  As soon as I picked those glasses up, I kid you not, the right arm of the glasses was all I was holding in my hand.  The little screw had popped out.  I couldn’t help but bust out laughing.

One of my teacher friends stepped out in the hall.  I gave him the quick version my day so far.  He smiled, immediately took my glasses back to his desk, pulled out a kit, and had those glasses fixed in about two minutes.  

As I walked back to my room, I slowed down a bit so I could thank God.  I had left earlier than usual that day, so I was still on time for everything even though moving that big bus in the rain stunk.  I was about to go a day without my reading glasses, yet they were fixed within 5 minutes of them falling apart.  I almost couldn’t believe how everything I needed was provided.  

All this led me on a nice string of praises where I was so thankful to God for his kindness.  I was sorry that I had complained and acted all miserable.  I have this saying, “If that is the worst thing that happens to me today, then I’m going to be alright.”  This was definitely the case, but I had forgotten for just a little while.  

Lord, how could I ever thank You for all these things in my life that have continually taught me over the years?  You are constantly molding me into Your image and setting these situations up so that I learn to be more and more like You.  Help me to keep a great attitude.  One day, my faith will be sight.  I look so forward to that day.  Until then, help me live in such a way that others want the same thing.  Amen.