Josh Hatcher's Blog
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Shining Bright Part 1 – Kindness
Christmas time brings out the best in people. People often call it the “Christmas Spirit”. We should really try to emulate those qualities we see at Christmas time all year round. It’s not really a Christmas Spirit, but a Christ-like Spirit.
Throughout the month of December, Open Arms will be looking at what it means to “be a light”. Join Josh Hatcher on his blogging journey through the virtues behind illuminating the world around us.
Kindness
I went to the store today, and as the Christmas music played on the loudspeaker, I found myself singing along. I found myself smiling at sour faced people, and wanting to talk to them all.
It’s unusual for me; I would much rather get my shopping done and get out. But sometimes I get overwhelmed with compassion and kindness. Sometimes I can see the hurt on their faces, and I just want to make it all better for them.
But most of the time, I’m in my own little world, worried about my own problems, and feeling my own pains, dealing with my own screwed up reality.
When I went to check out, the cashier was obviously distracted by some of the worries in her life. She was not happy. And she looked up and said, “This Christmas music has GOT to GO!”
I smiled and said, “I was just thinking about how great it made me feel!”
Had it been another day, this story could have been reversed.
It reminded me that I should let those little things like Christmas music, or the sad look on someone’s face propel me to kindness.
Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus was no stranger to this feeling. The compassion he had for the people in the crowd moved Him to do simple miracles, like feeding fish sandwiches to the crowd, making some choice wine, or even touching people that no one else wanted to touch.
That same compassion actually compelled Him to give up everything to pay their debt with his own flesh.
Kindness comes in many forms. Sometimes it can be extreme, and involve sacrifice. Sometimes it’s simple, and involves only a smile and a couple minutes of conversation.
But kindness should be something we practice everyday.
And when we do, we bring illumination to the situations we are in. People notice kindness. It helps light their way, and it is contagious.
Throughout the month of December, Open Arms will be looking at what it means to “be a light”. Join Josh Hatcher on his blogging journey through the virtues behind illuminating the world around us.
Kindness
I went to the store today, and as the Christmas music played on the loudspeaker, I found myself singing along. I found myself smiling at sour faced people, and wanting to talk to them all.
It’s unusual for me; I would much rather get my shopping done and get out. But sometimes I get overwhelmed with compassion and kindness. Sometimes I can see the hurt on their faces, and I just want to make it all better for them.
But most of the time, I’m in my own little world, worried about my own problems, and feeling my own pains, dealing with my own screwed up reality.
When I went to check out, the cashier was obviously distracted by some of the worries in her life. She was not happy. And she looked up and said, “This Christmas music has GOT to GO!”
I smiled and said, “I was just thinking about how great it made me feel!”
Had it been another day, this story could have been reversed.
It reminded me that I should let those little things like Christmas music, or the sad look on someone’s face propel me to kindness.
Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus was no stranger to this feeling. The compassion he had for the people in the crowd moved Him to do simple miracles, like feeding fish sandwiches to the crowd, making some choice wine, or even touching people that no one else wanted to touch.
That same compassion actually compelled Him to give up everything to pay their debt with his own flesh.
Kindness comes in many forms. Sometimes it can be extreme, and involve sacrifice. Sometimes it’s simple, and involves only a smile and a couple minutes of conversation.
But kindness should be something we practice everyday.
And when we do, we bring illumination to the situations we are in. People notice kindness. It helps light their way, and it is contagious.
:: posted by joshhatcher, 3:18 PM
