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Laura from Along For the Ride is hosting a
90 Days of Kindness Challenge.
She says this about Kindness:
Kindness is radical living.
It is going the distance with people
giving hope to someone who is difficult
having manners
not bringing up others wrongs
not keeping score
promoting others
putting others first
being patient when it's really really hard
forgiving others when it's even harder
Kindness is
patient
happy with what it has
humble
slow to anger
Kindness delights in truth
Kindness always trusts
hopes
survives
I am inspired by these words. They touch the depths of my soul.
I read these words over and over a few times. Then I started to "check-off" as I read down the list of what Kindness means. I do pretty well with most of them. But giving hope to someone who is difficult? Oh, that's a tough one. I'm not so good at that. I like happy people. Easy-going people. Do I really need to be kind to difficult people? The answer is yes. God calls me to be.
What about being patient when it's really, really hard?
Or forgiving people when it's even harder?
Well, I stumble at those too. I have some work to do. And I think this Challenge will be good for me. A daily reminder of what's important. Helping me to go the extra mile in my relationships. Seeing others with Jesus' eyes. Not just with my own flesh-covered eyes.
Will this be a difficult challenge? Well, what exactly is a challenge anyway?
Definition: A call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
To engage takes action. It's one thing to know what it means to be kind. But quite another to practice it. To actually do it.
So yes, I would say this will be at times a difficult challenge. Especially on those days when I'm running short on patience. Or I'm being pulled in many directions. It will be on those days when the Lord brings someone difficult across my path. Or when He asks me to be patient in a hard time. I might even be faced with having to forgive someone when it hurts.
My prayer and desire is that I will react with Kindness.
Will you join me on this journey? Who's in? Leave me a comment if you're in so that I can encourage you along! We'll do it together.
Click {here} for the Challenge details.
Linking up to Melissa's Inspired By Friday Party
Blessings!
June 16th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Patience...ahhh...don't we all struggle with patience??? I do like the kindness, one kind word can make my day!!!
June 16th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Marie! Thank you for the kind email -- this post is wonderful. What a great thing to keep in perspective. For me it's easy to be kind when I want to be.....other times not so much. I'm saving this to read often. Thank you so much for sharing!
June 16th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Oh what a great idea! You are such a good leader! I love that I have you to look to for a lift when I need it. This is really something I need to do!
THANKS!!
Hugs, Lisa
June 17th, 2010 at 9:02 am
I too am doing the kindness challenge and am getting ready to post about it. It should be a wonderful summer.
Blessings,
Nancy
June 17th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Hi Marie,
I've been thinking about doing this too and reading your lovely post kicked my butt into gear. I'm in and know just who I need to focus my kindness on for 90 days. I'll blog about it and look forward to you doing the same. It's so easy to get caught up in the goings-on of life and lose track of who you want to be. I know I want to be an example of kindness and love to everyone I meet. Thanks for inspiring.
June 20th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
You really have an inspiring blog! It is also a wake-up call to me! Thank you so much fro sharing this with us!
-Ashley-
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:28 am
a kindness challenge, what a beautiful thing! Love your thoughts about kindness, too.
Peace,
Heather
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:41 pm
My 4 year old has developed a bit of a mean mouth recently, and I told her she needed to use "kind" words ...and then she asked me what "kind" was. My answer was not nearly as good as yours. Thanks for the reminder that being kind is so much more than politeness - this was an inspirational read!
June 25th, 2010 at 3:35 am
I'm so sorry that it's taken me a while to comment, but I am truly grateful that you are up for the challenge. This really struck me: "Do I really need to be kind to difficult people? The answer is yes. God calls me to be." How true...and how difficult!! I pray that you will be blessed by this challenge and I so hope you share along the way!
Love,
Laura