I want to live IN the river!

Growing up, kindness was not a virtue on display in my home. My mother was generous and funny and unpredictable and a lot of other things, but rarely truly kind. If on occasion she might do something one could consider kind, she brushed it off or tried to hide it, and not out of humility. It was as though she wanted to protect the hard shell around the parts of her heart that had the capacity for gentleness and kindness. My stepfather was not kind. I had a tender heart as a kid and often felt as though I was living with strangers. I cried when my feelings were hurt and tears were a big part of my teenage years. I did not receive kindness or compassion in return.

My father, however, is a kind person. After my sister and I were separated from him at ages 5 (me) and 3, not by his choice, we did not see him again until I was 30. Again, not by his choice – long story. As we got to know each other again after being reunited, I discovered that I had his spirit, his heart for life, his way of looking at things. His compassion. I came to believe that compassion is the gateway through which kindness can enter. I felt like I’d found a life compass when our relationship was restored. Over time, I got recentered and today I no longer feel guilty for being moved with compassion for the suffering of others or any hesitation toward being kind. And if someone is kind to me, I try to remember to call it out and thank them specifically for activating that part of their heart.

All of this to say that I agree! The more we practice kindness and reward it in others, whether kids or even adults, the more I think it will grow and spread among people who are willing to be vulnerable and to give without concern about reciprocation. Even folks with rusty doors in their hearts can oil the hinges and let kindness flow through.

Thank you for this blog, for your very good questions, and for your call to pursue the true virtues. This is important work for followers of Jesus and deeply rewarding when we make the leap into the river of life. We have to live IN the river, not on its banks.

and if we answered the question based on Pastor social media posts, it might look something like this:

1. That sermon was fire! Powerful. Preached the paint off the walls. It slayed me.
2. Record-breaking attendance! Huge crowds today. Wow! God’s doing something amazing.
3. My smoking-hot wife. Isn’t she beautiful? The most gorgeous woman on the planet. Mine!
4. Rockin worship today! The band rocked it. Love that new song.

Am I missing any?