Commuting. It’s a 9-letter word that haunts many across the globe.
My commute’s not that bad, thankfully. In fact, I enjoy my drive to work because it gives me a chance to listen to some music and start my day in a good groove.
Yesterday began like any other. I hopped in my SUV and headed for Starbucks to pick up my Skinny Mocha. I didn’t even have to turn my radio on. It’s always on. I love music.
Talk radio, or at least talking on the radio … not my favorite. Just not into it. Give me music or I’m likely switching to another station. Sorry. But, on this particular day, a local DJ named Mike Powers said something that kept me listening.
“Act on the side of kindness.”
My initial reaction was ‘Oh, I love that. What a meme-able quote!’ Then, the words sank in. And to be honest, they’ve really challenged me.
It’s easy to be kind when I’m in a good mood, but it’s hard when life’s not going right. In those moments…
- How do I approach people?
- Am I patient or quick to react?
- Am I kind or a little rude?
In that reflective moment, I decided something. I made a conscious choice to ‘act on the side of kindness’ no matter how I feel.
You know, kindness is a God thing. God is love (1 John 4:8), and love is patient and love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Jesus even instructs us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). (I’m still working on that last one.)
Here’s what else I found in the Bible about kindness:
- “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
- “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
Join me in this challenge. Act on the side of kindness.
And, let’s try to take it a few steps beyond the come-and-gone acts of kindness we usually might think of: buying a stranger coffee, letting someone go in front of you in line at Target, allowing a fellow driver to merge when they should have half a mile ago, etc. Let’s put this kindness thing into real action by being truly patient with one another (even on Facebook), showing love to a complete stranger and grace to that trying family member.
We can do it. I have faith!