Is it becoming a lost commodity?
It was on one of those typical Saturday afternoons, I was grocery shopping at Walmart getting groceries and supplies for our house. Just another get the errands done day. I had my system down of what areas to go to first in the store like a well oiled machine for the best efficiency and speed to get in and out. As I turned my grocery basket onto the aisle to get one of those big 40 pack water bottles, the aisle was somewhat congested but I paid no mind as I struggled to lift the pack of water to place in my shopping cart. All of a sudden, a hand laid on my arm. It startled me and as I looked up, a young child who was sitting in the front of her mother’s shopping cart had leaned over and out of the mouth of babes said, “It’s going to be alright.” I smiled at her as the child’s mother smiled at me. I replied, “Thank you honey!” As I wheeled my shopping cart away, tears came to my eyes. Somebody, a small child, saw me, and had compassion. It really touched my heart that just for a moment, a stranger extended kindness to me. I will always remember that.
Sometimes that’s all what is needed, a reassuring smile, a gentleness in someone’s eyes, letting someone know you see them.
This world seems to becoming more angry, impatient, and bitter with each other. We don’t watch what we say to each other as much as we used to and are indifferent to hurting each other’s feelings.
Is it always more important to be right than considering the other person? Do we always have to place our needs over others?
God created us all, and He likes variety! He created different cultures, skin tones, languages, and mindsets.
In fact, Jesus had two commands He wants us to follow:
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39. NIV
With the Holy Spirit’s help we can be changed on the inside and the love that the Lord infuses in us can radiate outwardly to others. For those who don’t know the Lord, small acts of love and kindness can touch another’s heart and be a testimony of Jesus to point them to the light just by our actions.
Just as that little girl did for me.
”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV