Showing Kindness

Ephesians 4:32,  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

I Thessalonians 5:15,  "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

      One reason for exercising kindness and patience with others is the fact that we usually don't have a clue as to what is on their plates, no idea of the battles they are fighting.  Surely we would not want our behavior to be the final straw that pushes someone to the brink of despair.  And everybody can use a good dose of old fashioned encouragement at any time.

      I was in the check out line at the grocery store the other day, and the lady who was checking groceries chastised me for putting my purse on the conveyer belt although the belt was not turned on.  After the groceries had been processed, she fussed at me again in a very grumpy voice for laying my money on the conveyer belt while I was counting it out, saying,  "It's going to get caught under there!", and I snapped back, in a very grumpy voice, "How can it get caught?  The belt isn't even running?"  All of a sudden there were two grumpies. 

    And Grumpy Number Two--me--resolved then and there never to go through Grumpy Number One's check out line again!  So there!  What a human response.  My old sin nature had booted the Holy Spirit off the control center of my life and had taken over.

      Once I had confessed my poor response to God and asked the Holy Spirit to take control of my life again, I started wondering just what struggles that check out lady might be having.  I could have lightened her load a bit by patience, kindness, and a big smile.  I hope next time I won't miss the chance to lift someone else's spirits.

Father, may I treat everyone I meet this week, and always, with kindness, patience, and compassion.  Thank You for Your kindness, patience, and compassion for me.  Amen.