Tag: kindness

This is a Test

~ Barbara ~ 4 Comments

As in 1863, we have been involved in a great civil war, aiming weapons with words that can maim and kill. Each side has been self-assured and self-righteous. Instead of feeling shame we bolstered our positions and spoke hatred. Unity was upstaged by platform. Values were obscured by personalities. The echo of Abraham Lincoln’s words ask us, can the United States endure?

God sees our nation. He watches the nations of the world. He hears the pompous words and observes man’s devious plans. More than that, He sees hearts.

What does God think? Psalm 2 tells us.

The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together…
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
“I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

God is not worried. His kingdom is not shaken. He perceives the futility of man’s wisdom—and He laughs. He is secure in His authority and confident in His purposes.

We can also be assured of His kingship, His sovereignty, and His justice. Consider these verses:

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.”
Psalm 2:10-11

For God is the King of all the earth…
God reigns over the nations;
    God is seated on His holy throne…
the kings of the earth belong to God…
Psalm 47:7-9

The election is two days behind us. We must end the civil war with our own reconstruction period, demonstrating kindness and forgiveness. Let us take the words of Ephesians 4 to heart:

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Powerful Words from Generous Hearts

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I was recently doubting myself in two areas. In each instance someone spoke words that flipped my perspective and sparked joy.

First, I was feeling down about my hair—I’m losing it! Not a big deal, but a distraction. I faithfully thanked God it wasn’t due to disease or chemo treatments, just another aging nuisance. Still, I told Him I’d really like it to stop.

We attend a super-friendly church and each Sunday are enthusiastically greeted like our being there is the best thing ever. Two weeks ago the greeter, a stranger to me, exclaimed, “I love your hair! It looks so healthy!” Now, people may have commented on my hair style or color, but no one ever has remarked on its health. I’m guessing you’ve never been told that either. What an unusual comment—and exactly what I needed to hear! I thanked her for being so outgoing and unwittingly building me up. Now I brush the hair off my shoulders and say to myself, “What healthy hair!” You know, I think less is falling!

The second self-doubt came this morning. I felt dry and was praying about what to post this week. I questioned if I should take a blog break. In the middle of my musing a new friend texted me, “I felt compelled to start reading your blog! I’ve read a few and I’m now a subscriber!” Wow! Then a second friend in the chat responded that she knew nothing about following a blog, “I was just reading it. So good!” They knew nothing about my struggle but spoke words of life and… here I am!

I hope you’re encouraged to speak up, to let compliments and positive words flow. We’ve had this safety measure drilled in us: “If you see something, say something.” Let’s steal the mantra to remind us to say kind words to others.  

Ephesians tells us to speak…“what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (4:29). In the communications I described words were spoken to build me up. The speakers didn’t know of my need, but God did, and He used them to bless.

Friends, let’s be generous with words that compliment, edify, and encourage. According to Proverbs 25:11 (ESV),

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

Share a golden apple today!