Bless

As I read this Max Lucado message, I found it very interesting that my neighbor has "gone to war" with me and Lois, and has made herself totally unreasonable and unlovable. Lois, to her credit, took the high road, and while I was dreaming up ways to "strike back" against this woman's incorrigible "well-poisoner" attitude, she suggested that we pray the "BLESS" prayer for her. So, rather than play to this woman's level, with a self-righteous anger (I do that very well), Lois has us both praying for her thus:

(B)ody - Lord, heal her physical body and give her health.
(L)abors - Lord, reward her business activities.
(E)motions - Lord, let her know emotional peace of mind.
(S)ocial - Lord, may she have many loyal friends.
(S)piritual - Lord, bring her to Your peace, love, and mercy.

Isn't it interesting how the devil will always present just the challenging situation that will test our resolve to maintain a peaceful and kind heart for everyone? Because of the noise that my neighbor was making every morning, I was losing a lot of sleep. Now, when the noise occurs (it's a mechanical motion-detecting frog that croaks "Jeremiah was a bullfrog" at about 200 decibels at 4:30 AM), I am reminded to simply pray for her, and I am sleeping much better! Funny how God can take care of an unsolvable problem, and leave everyone concerned a little better for it, if we act kindly rather than being combative.

So, here's a related passage from a Max Lucado book, on kindness. How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee—without being asked?

Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn't speak the language. Maybe she doesn't fit in. Are you kind to this person?

Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).

And, here is a challenge—what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the spouse who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27–28, 32, 35–36)

Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.

Since he is so kind to us, can’t we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don’t know me, Max. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don’t, but he does. He knows everything about you, yet he doesn't hold back his kindness toward you. Has he, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?

No, he is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. [Or even, a “chosen people”, etc, from last week] Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth his kindness. And he’s a good judge of character.

Love you, Grace Harbor Saints! And don't miss that I also love my wife, and her winner's attitude! Hoorah for all you wonderful positive ladies!

Ray Beeman

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