Sticky Notes Of Kindness…Hello weekend readers. I have read over 4 stories about kindness this week. Every Friday night on CBS Al and I love ‘On The Road’ with Steve Hartman who travels the USA to share stories about kindness, caring, etc. Thus, my musings are about kindness and all that makes us kind…a commodity which seems to be fading on the horizon these days.

Brenda Yoder is one amazing woman that I met at a women’s retreat. She was sharing about her life which is a busy one. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College and Seminary, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, licensed school counselor through the University of St. Francis, Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University, part-time work as an elementary school counselor, private counseling practice that provides services through a trauma informed approach…how she does it all I don’t know. But what I do know is her love for Jesus and her love for caring for others in any way she can. So I thought you might like her latest challenge with fourth-grade students…hang on and get out your Kleenex…God has something we all need to work on!

“Brenda says: my fourth grade students asked me why I was crying as they lined up in the hallway. Let me backup. You see, I had asked them to write something about kindness for a month that we could post on our ‘Kindness Wall’. Fast forward…when I came into school that morning, they had put sticky notes on the Kindness Wall which is in the entryway of the school. Each student had written something about kindness. But it was what they wrote that gave me tears—tears of gladness. I asked them what they had learned from the activity. Over a dozen students raised their hands. Here’s a few of their words: I hoped people of different colors would stop hating each other; kindness can help someone who is depressed, my mom told me that; one girl said when you include someone, you make a difference in their life. Over and over again each one had something different from their perspective of kindness and each one was right. As school ended that day, I was ready to head out but then I just had to stop, look outside and praise Jesus for showing up in such an unexpected way.”

When I read this, I felt like Brenda, my tears were happy tears. Oh the joy of a child who has pure kindness and love. Too soon things change in a hard world. Then I thought about my day and how often I have fast prayers, read a few devotionals—quickly—and then I’m off to something else. When I do that I disconnect with Jesus and throughout the day I find the joy I treasure had flown out the window! With Jesus it’s a good day, without him—not so good.

Here’s a few quotes about kindness to memorize so when those days are anything but kind, and your words aren’t kind you can push back on the anger and find joy instead:

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. -Dalai Lama
We should model the kindness we want to see. -Brene Brown
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. -Plato
Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. -Abraham Lincoln

 Ephesians 4:31-32 GNT, the Apostle Paul gives us a mandate on kindness: “Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” And in Colossians 3:12 GNT, Paul says it again: “You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Let’s take a moment and ask ourselves “what does kindness mean to me?” Next, put your answer side-by-side with Paul’s words above. Is there a match, or do we have some work to do? I suggest we get out the sticky-notes and start writing. If 4th graders can do it, so can we. AMEN!