Lessons in Kindness

Just a few days ago I overheard a conversation Dave was having with one of our neighbors. Just out of the blue he said “You know I miss Glory. Each time I drive up and open the back gate I expect to see her there waiting for me”. That little girl taught us so many lessons about love!

Our dogs can teach us so much. They depend on us to provide for them. They lovingly wait for our return; if we are gone for 3 days or three hours there reaction to our return is the same. Excitement!

A few years back I heard singer/songwriter, Don Francisco, talking about a song his wife , Wendy, had written, “GoD and DoG”.

I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog.
Simple spelling G O D, same word backwards, D O G.
They would stay with me all day. I’m the one who walks away.
But both of them just wait for me, and dance at my return with glee.
Both love me no matter what – divine God and canine mutt.
I take it hard each time I fail, but God forgives, dog wags his tail.
God thought up and made the dog, dog reflects a part of God.
I’ve seen love from both sides now, it’s everywhere, amen, bow wow.
I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog.
And in my human frailty…I can’t match their love for me.

Those words touched my heart. It seems I’m not the only one who could see a correlation between the unconditional love of My Father and the devotion of my four-legged canine companion.

I remember a time when we had been on the go and I had forgotten to feed Glory. It was late, almost bedtime, when I realized she still needed her dinner.

 She was very mild natured and you hardly ever knew she was around. I realized she had been overlooked and sat with her for a few minutes. She needed the attention and responded so lovingly. The love and attention were much more important to her than her dinner, which was late.

“Good people are kind to their animals, but a mean person is cruel.” Proverbs 12:10

The creatures of this earth were put here by God for our enjoyment but we are also to be good stewards in providing for them. They depend on us and we learn love from them. In the mornings Glory would lay at my side while I read my Bible, had prayer and wrote this blog. She just enjoyed being close to me as I was spending time being close to the Father. She’s been gone six months now and I miss sharing my quiet mornings with her.

Let us carry these same characteristic of caring and kindness that we have learned from our four-legged friends to our two-legged friends.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.” Colossians 3:12-14 CEV

We can all use a little more kindness!

Why?

This is the question I was asking myself this morning. Why?

Why do I write this blog each morning? Why do I get up as early as I do? Why?

The answer was clear. Because there is no other way I would rather start my day than having a quiet cup of coffee with the Lord. It brings my day into focus, gives me direction and perspective, the Word gives me wisdom and fills my heart with strength.

“Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God. 17 Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:16-18 NLV

Years ago I realized that the thing I was most passionate about, the thing I desired to do the most and the thing that I felt the Lord had truly gifted me to do was to teach His word in a way that was practical and easy to understand. That’s the answer to the why do I write each morning. If I can help one person each day gain strength and understanding from God’s word than my life is truly successful.

I remember years ago I was talking with a young woman who has an amazing voice. She has a musical talent, a gift, that compels people to stop and listen. However, she was struggling. Struggling with the lack of opportunities to use her talent publicly. Her question was this. This talent I have has been given me by God, why don’t I have more occasions to use it?

I told her she has as many opportunities as she wants. She can sing while working in her yard and the neighbors may hear, she can sing in the break room at work and bless her co-workers. She can sing to her nieces and nephews. Her singing, something as simple as Jesus Loves Me, may have a life-defining impact on someone who goes on to become the next Billy Graham or the next Bill Gates.

Whatever we do, we do in the name of the Lord. Why?

To give God thanks for all He has done in our lives and to draw others to a relationship with Him.

If you’re a construction workers, a teacher, a doctor, a first responder, a student, a homemaker, a retail clerk or medical technician do all to the glory of God. Parent, child, grandparent, uncle, aunt, unemployed, fully employed, business owner or retiree do all to the glory of God.

Whatever we do, whatever we say, wherever we go we go with a mission. We use our lives to show God’s goodness to others.

Why?

“…Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life. 13 Continue to read the Scriptures to the people, encourage them, and teach them…” I Timothy 4:12-13 ERV

We each have a purpose, a God-ordained destiny. Live life for His glory!

To Be or Not To Be

That is the question. What should I be, how should I be, where should I be?

It’s important that we fulfill our destiny. The plan that God has for us isn’t hard to find. All through Scripture we are instructed to be kind, loving, encouraging, truthful, sincere, generous, peacemakers; in essence, examples of Jesus.

This morning I will let the Apostle Paul write the blog for me:

“Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing. In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others.

We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us. Whoever has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in a way that fits the kind of faith they have. Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. Whoever has the gift of teaching should teach. Whoever has the gift of comforting others should do that. Whoever has the gift of giving to help others should give generously. Whoever has the gift of leading should work hard at it. Whoever has the gift of showing kindness to others should do it gladly.

Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. 10 Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself. 11 As you serve the Lord, work hard and don’t be lazy. Be excited about serving him! 12 Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. 13 Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

14 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. 15 When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. 16 Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

17 If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:4-18 ERV

When I read this this morning I had to stop and examine my heart. I had to ask the question, “Is this how I’m living? Am I encouraging others, teaching others, being generous and forgiving?” Then I re-read that chapter, in several different versions, each time asking the Holy Spirit to point out areas where I was falling short but He also encouraged me by showing me the things I am doing right. I love that about the Lord – He doesn’t condemn. His instruction is helpful and encouraging. He desires to build us up and not tear us down.

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.” II Timothy 3:16 CEV

I must admit that sometimes I have a problem with verse 14

“Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them.” verse 14

But with God’s help I am doing better. Each morning I make that a part of my prayer. “Lord, show me how to be more loving today. I want to constantly be growing and conforming to the life that You have for me.”

I encourage you today to look for situations where you can be an example of Jesus.