Acts of Kindness

These are salt and pepper shakers.  I like them.

Last night's coffeehouse was really an eye opener... lots of good questions and comments.  So, I've been doing a little self-reflection today.

I make choices everyday.  This is obvious.  What seems to me to be a little less obvious is that the ultimate importance of each choice can never really be predicted ahead of time.  A person who makes the little choice to step off the curb into a crosswalk wouldn't ever know the gravity of that million-times-a-day decision before they were struck by a crazy driver.

We know that some of the choices that we make are very important - choosing careers, following vocations, pursuing education, etc.  But, even those grand choices are surrounded by clouds of the little guys; the pebbles we throw into ponds that make ripples which turn into waves.

With tones dripping with academia, abstract thought and Dr. Phil-style advice we say that "every choice matters."  It's easy to dismiss sentiments like that.  Every choice DOES matter though, and not just for ourselves but for others, too.  Especially the things we say.

Thousands of words come out of my mouth everyday (many of them ridiculous) and I do not often stop to think about their impact.  I have my own ideas about which ones are important and which ones are not.  But, my ideas are not the same as your ideas.  One person's knock-knock joke is another person's dagger to the heart.  Such differences in ideas can lead to pain, resentment, distrust and isolation.

Big decisions.  Little choices.  Powerful words.  Small talk.  It's hard to know the difference.

So, what if I decided to make everything that I said, from ordering food to giving advice, an act of kindness?

Maybe I'd speak less.  Maybe more.  For sure, misunderstandings will still happen.  But, I can't help but think that I would start to approach the world in a new way.  I can't help but think that my heart would be more open to God's love and kindness.  I can't help but think that those whom I love closest would know that love just a little bit better.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.  And if I have the gift of prophecy, and comprehend all mysteries and knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything that I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails...

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

We have choices.  We can build one another up.  We can tear one another down.  Hear the truth and in each moment let your choice be led by love - true unashamed and unconditional love.