Kindness

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

I have recently noticed an increase in the use of the word kind. While used as a compliment, it is often met with a tinge of surprise. Even though I am glad to know that we are becoming a community where kindness is nurtured, there is a note of sadness when people are surprised by it. 

My grandmother always watched out for people. She had the sweetest and kindest heart. If she knew someone would be alone on a holiday, she opened her home and made them feel like family. She was often thinking of others and used her kindness to share with people that they were special, and thought of.  That might be a card for a friend having a bad time, it might be fresh cookies for neighbors who were getting ready for travel, but it could be as simple as smiling at someone in the grocery store. She understood that a successful community was one that loved and cared for each other.

It might seem like some communities are too big for kindness to take root. I disagree, I think that kind and simple things can go a long way.  It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. This spring I want to think about ways that I can nurture kindness and watch it grow. Not for recognition, and not as some kind of penance, but because we love and care for each other as God’s chosen people.

Prayer: Creator God, help us all to share your kindness with those around us.  Please be with me now and always, reminding me of the simple ways that people can feel special, welcome and loved. Amen.

Christi Moock

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:36-49

Words from Galatians

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 

                                                                       ~Galatians 6: 2-10

Suffering

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”  He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37

On the evening of March 14 I scanned the Facebook news feed and found tragedy. Tragedy mostly in catastrophic flooding, but also those who had lost loved ones, a little girl fighting cancer, adults fighting illnesses. It left me with a feeling of sadness and empathy as well as gratefulness that I was spared from these situations. In fact, the gratefulness with tinged with guilt, as so many in our state were suffering from the effects of severe weather…and not even a corner of my basement was wet. I thought: how can I help those who are suffering?

In our Lenten study earlier in the week “Crossbound”, we discussed suffering for others and doing what we can to help others, instead of focusing on ourselves. I shared with the group an article I had read that weekend, with one quote standing out: “Make a commitment to something greater than your own self-interests. If we all did that, we would make a huge difference in our country—and our world”.*

Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond our own worries. When we do step outside our own personal world and reach out to help others, God reminds us that it brings a sense of peace. It feels good to serve others, and we're obedient to His word as well. However, sometimes our own tragedies are overwhelming…in those instances, perhaps someone will reach out to us. And if not, God is there for us to call on.

Prayer: Lord, help us see those who are suffering in our midst. Give us courage to reach out in ways we can, and give us courage to reach out to you when we're feeling overwhelmed. Amen.

*Elizabeth McLellan, founder of Partners for World Health, in an interview in the April 2019 Oprah magazine.

Donna Gustafson

Another Move

He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.  And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, ‘The old is good.’”  Luke 5:36-39

It’s time for change at our house. We’re leaving our home of fifteen years to move to an apartment in a retirement community, which will be our eleventh home in 56 years of marriage. It is surprisingly easy to lighten the load of possessions to accommodate the new smaller space. The old IS good, but so is the new. This move is only one of many changes in our years of marriage, as is true for most folks. We expanded from two to a family of seven, and then, over the years, became two again. We’ve lived in Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Texas. Starting out in apartments, we moved to ever larger, then smaller houses. We’ve moved from one telephone to two, to too many, including the one we tote about with us. We’ve learned to cook with gas and electricity and microwaves, in pans, crockpot, roaster, electric skillet, griddle, and waffle/pancake iron. We’ve spent undue amounts of time reading directions to learn to use new possessions like FM radio, television, VHS, cordless phone, dishwashers, refrigerators, computers, CD player, bread machine, lawn mowers, snowblower, hedge clippers, and the weed whacker before enjoying these tools’ making our lives easier, as they were meant to do. After initial rebellion, we accepted area codes for telephone numbers and zip codes for addresses. We rejoice in long-distance dialing, air conditioning, e-mailing, and internet browsing, all fruits of the present not available in our early adulthood. The young often think that their elders are set in their ways and opposed to change.  Given our evidence and that of most of us of our age, I believe that change has been our only constant, and will continue to be. 

Prayer: Lord, we pray for your guidance to take the best from the old and the new as change continues to come to our lives.  After all, your son, Jesus, brought the greatest change to the world it had ever known—and that turned out all right.  Amen. 

Ruth Ann Lyness (reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

A Simple Phrase

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”  Luke 13:18-19

A friend recently told me how the simple phrase “I’ll pray for you” changed her life. She had left the church as an adolescent when she moved out of her parents’ home, so for her adult life she had basically denied God’s existence.  Then a few years ago during a particularly stressful time, a co-worker said, “I’ll pray for you.”  “I had never had anyone say, ‘I’ll pray for you’ before,” she said. That little phrase drew my friend into a community of believers who relied on God and who lovingly cared for one another. It changed her life. What a wonderful thing the co-worker did.  Four little words, but more powerful than she realized. I wonder how often I’ve missed opportunities to do or say something that would help someone find God’s loving arms.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for my friend’s co-worker. Thank you for the power of your loving care. Help us in our daily lives to be active members in your community.

Lois Coleman (reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

The Forgiveness Project

Our Wednesday morning Bible study took a field trip to Gateway Mall to visit the Forgiveness Project. In a nutshell: people from all over the globe share their experiences with those who have committed atrocities against them and/or their families (an example: someone whose son died in the World Trade Center on 9-11). Stories are shared on large banners with text and photos.

What struck me was the variety of views and responses to forgiveness itself. Not everyone interviewed believes in forgiveness, but all were honest and laid their hearts bare, sharing their journeys. Most often, peace was the pathway and/or end result of their experience.

Stop by to see it before it’s gone! Info below:

The Forgiveness Project

What: The Forgiveness Project began in the United Kingdom in 2004, collecting and sharing stories of those who have rebuilt their lives after hurt and trauma. In Lincoln, 18 banners will be on display sharing those stories to build public conversation and encourage hope, tolerance and empathy.

Where: Gateway Mall, signs will direct guests to the display across from Bath and Body Works.

When: Now through May 16; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

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Donna Gustafson