Those Kind

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. ~ Proverbs 11:17

My grandma used to say, “You’ll catch more kindness with honey than you will with manure.”  Growing up, I never really understood what she was saying until I was in about the 8th grade.  I got into a fight with my best girlfriend and she started being downright mean.  I don’t even remember what the fight was about, but I do remember plotting revenge against my friend and my grandma overheard me telling someone my plan; which I can’t remember now either.  Next thing I heard was her song and dance about kindness.  I decided not to do anything and let my friend continue her attack without responding.  About a week later, she had shut her mouth and moved on.  Two weeks later we were friends again.  I believe my taking the high road by not responding back made my friend have no choice but to look at herself.  She apologized for her nastiness and we moved past it.  It’s easy to get sucked into wanting to hurt those who hurt us, but Jesus would tell us to be kind, and merciful even to those who are cruel to us.  It’s easy to be nice to those who are nice to us, but it takes extra grit and will power to be kind to those who are hurtful.  None of us were meant to do life alone, so why be cruel?  Being cruel will just isolate you from people, and leave you miserably alone when we were created as relational beings.  The only way to practice kindness is to interact with others and to treat them like you treat yourself.  Interaction with others is the best indication of our character.  Are we kind to others?  Are we encouraging?  Are we helpful?  When you do these things you are showing Christ and will benefit the same from others.  However, if you tear people down, think only of yourself and tend to turn the other way when help is needed you will reap the same from others.  Kindness will reap a harvest of friendships while being cruel will leave you lonely.  Give kindness and mercy. ~ Amen