Be Kind. Always.

Growing up, my mom always told my sisters and I to "kill" rude/un-agreeable/moody people with kindness. She also told us to be kind to everyone, whether we know them or not. Include everyone. Embrace the new people. Cherish the old friends. ETC. (My mom is pretty wise.) So...even into my adult life, I try to keep those virtues close to my heart. I extend kindness to strangers...even rude ones. I welcome visitors whether it be at a social gathering, at church, or at Grandma's house! I try to meet people where they are, on a level they're comfortable, and do my best at making them feel comfortable. I don't always succeed. Sometimes I fail miserably. Sometimes I'm so preoccupied with what's going on in my life/mind that I fail to notice others. Sometimes I'm so self-centered that I avoid other people because I just don't WANT to reach out. It's those moments that I'm ashamed of. It's those moments I'm grateful I'm covered by the grace of Jesus. It's those moments that remind me of why my mom taught my sisters and I all that she did.

Source

I recently had someone say to me, "I can only handle so much of you. I've had my fill." Quite honestly, this statement didn't hurt me. It caught me off guard. Don't get me wrong, I know I can be a handful! I am perky, bubbly, optimistic, focused, driven, a combo of Type A and C personalities, outspoken, honest, etc. I don't kid myself into thinking EVERYONE wants to be my friend. I don't lie to myself and say I'm the easiest person to get close to. Trust me. I know. I'm an over the top, not afraid to speak truth even if it isn't pretty, kinda gal. (That whole 100% honest, confront you if I have to, don't try to walk all over me side of me is 100% my daddy, by the way.) HOWEVER, when I heard that, so bluntly put, (she later told me she wasn't being rude...just honest) I thought for a second about what I could have possibly done to make her think that. (Type C coming out...self-reflecting and all that...)

You know what my verdict was? Not a darn thing. I've been nothing but nice to her since she and her husband first started coming to our church. I've always reached out. Always offered help. I tried to be nice to her always, even when it wasn't easy.

Some people don't understand where you're coming from. Some people misinterpret. She told me she thinks I'm trying to be a know-it-all. Misinterpretation right there! I don't TRY to be a know-it-all. I actually know this is one of my flaws. I inherited it from my father. I come across as a know-it-all because as unhumble as this sounds...I'm smart. I know things. I desire to know things. I like learning, so if I don't know the answer to something, I research the crap out of it. If I think of something or come across something I don't know much about, I look it up. I am constantly trying to expand my wealth of knowledge. I want to know more. I inquire about things, which sometimes comes across as me being a know-it-all. I ask why such and such is better than this or that. Being a Type C personality, I am very detail-oriented. I totally get why I can come across as a know-it-all. I TOTALLY do. I have, however, worked for a LONG time on bettering myself, admitting when I'm wrong, and asking questions when I don't know. I explained all of this to her, so I think she understands me just a wee bit better now. She apologized, which was nice.

The moral of the story? Talk to people. Express your feelings in a humble, unaccusing, unassuming, non-jack wagon sort of way, and the world will be a better place!

Proverbs 15 (The Message)

God Doesn't Miss a Thing

 ¹ A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. 

 ² Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; 
   fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. 

 ³ God doesn't miss a thing— 
   he's alert to good and evil alike. 

 ⁴ Kind words heal and help; 
   cutting words wound and maim. 

 ⁵ Moral dropouts won't listen to their elders; 
   welcoming correction is a mark of good sense. 

 ⁶ The lives of God-loyal people flourish; 
   a misspent life is soon bankrupt. 

 ⁷ Perceptive words spread knowledge; 
   fools are hollow—there's nothing to them. 

 ⁸ God can't stand pious poses, 
   but he delights in genuine prayers. 

 ⁹ A life frittered away disgusts God; 
   he loves those who run straight for the finish line. 

 ¹⁰ It's a school of hard knocks for those who leave God's path, 
   a dead-end street for those who hate God's rules. 

 ¹¹ Even hell holds no secrets from God— 
   do you think he can't read human hearts?

Life Ascends to the Heights

 ¹² Know-it-alls don't like being told what to do; 
   they avoid the company of wise men and women. 

 ¹³ A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; 
   a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. 

 ¹⁴ An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; 
   fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies. 

 ¹⁵ A miserable heart means a miserable life; 
   a cheerful heart fills the day with song. 

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