Proverbs 21:21, 23
Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Each October, an event is held in our community called “Early Decades.” It is basically a giant class reunion for all students of Heber Springs High School who graduated at least 30 years ago – or longer. The class who graduated 50 years ago hosts a banquet on Saturday night and presents the program. I did not attend last year, but I’ve read a transcript of the program, presented by Class of 1960 president, Gary Thomas. His program was about the “Dam Kids”… children whose families moved to our area to help with the construction of Greers Ferry Dam. Some were not treated so kindly… in large part because of resentments by local landowners over the government’s claim on their land to create Greers Ferry Lake.
However, Gary had a different experience. He spoke of many people in this area who befriended him… and he specifically named several who showed him great kindnesses. By the same token, on a Facebook page that recalls people and events in and around our community, many have cited teachers and leaders who were especially kind to them… who made a difference… people whom they have never forgotten. Some gave them wise advice… others gave them a hand or a hug when they needed it… but all did what was right and kind.
Perhaps you have known such people already in your own life. Or maybe, like the “Dam Kids”, you haven’t been treated so well. Either way, the Bible is clear on how we are supposed to behave… and that means hunting for what is right and kind… and watching what we say and how we say it.
In my work with elderly adults – and in talking with others who are caring for their elders – I hear often that “Mom treats me terribly,” or “Dad is so mean to me” – or even, “Grandma/Grandpa was really ugly to me/the nurse or caregiver/the neighbor/a dear friend.” The old adage about “biting the hand that feeds you” often plays out in eldercare. And while I know the sting of hurting words and actions in this situation is real – and deep – I also know that these are often very loving people who are acting out of a deep frustration… or dementia and illness. So we have to somewhat give them a “free pass”… show them grace and mercy, just as God shows us.
On the other hand, we do not have such a license to misbehave. For the most part, every person reading this message is able-bodied and of reasonably sound mind. We cannot ask others to excuse our thoughtless words or unkind gestures… much less expect God to look the other way. We must humbly and sincerely ask God to guide our thoughts and our deeds – every single day. We must ask Him to check our impulses to lash out at another… or to “speak our mind” in a brash, insensitive way. We have to ask God to help us conduct our daily lives in a way that honors Him and enables others to see His love in action.
If we “take the high road” and prayerfully walk in love and kindness… carefully choosing our words and our actions… others will see our restraint. They will know that there are times when our composure could have only come from God, and they will be inspired to pay it forward. And better than this, God will be pleased that we listened and trusted Him to work in and through us for a glorious life.
I’m glad that there have been others in my life who showed me kindness and bit their tongue. I’m thankful for teachers and leaders who have shown kindness to “kids” for countless generations. But I’m even more thankful for a God who teaches us to operate in restraint and love… and to reap the innumerable blessings that come as a result.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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