Please and Thank You are still magic words. I saw this on a FB post and smiled and agreed. Wholeheartedly. Please, by all means, be courteous. Thank you. After spending years trying to fight my way through the world, I learned that saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ opened doors and hearts in a different way. Ever so slowly, the Lord made me aware that every person is having a hard time, most of the time. So a little courtesy goes a long way. And…
Never sacrifice the truth for the “Being Nice” Game. This game breeds dishonesty more than it fosters compassion for others. Instead, speak the truth in love. But how?
Through the Holy Spirit’s characteristic of Kindness. It is truly the mark of greatness. And it is not automatically acquired but chosen.
For me, it began with an Amanda Cook song called “Kind.” This song haunted me actually. It’s a calming melody, but eerily charged. Like a war cry ringing out of the shadows at dawn.
Then God used it to rock my world.
My daughter worked late night hours at a job I was not crazy about. I was in turmoil over what I sensed was happening in the spirit. And she and I were doing our then-typical dance of silent and suspicious. One night she texted that she was on her way home. It was 2 a.m. and I was furious over the breach of curfew but the Spirit brought this song back to mind:
“Kind” (click to listen)
You are not a tyrant King
You do not delight in suffering
Your power doesn’t compensate for insecurity
‘Cause You are not a tyrant King
You are not an angry man
You do not treat us with contempt
Your voice is sure, Your eyes are soft, Your smile, confident
‘Cause You are not an angry man
You are kind
You are kind
Your love is a fury all its own
Sweeping the dust and turning feet towards home
Carrying the orphans and resetting broken bones
Your love is a fury all its own
Your love is powerful enough
Without the fear of punishment
I cried as I listened to it over and over. I was struck by the comparison, hearing the Spirit ask after each line: