The two people who most touched my life are “Uncle Fred” (as we used to call our high school music teacher) and my deceased husband Hugo. Uncle Fred was an understated man; religious, compassionate and a wonderful teacher. His greatest attribute was his kind countenance. He was naturally quiet and at peace. The Holy Spirit shown through his kind eyes and the delicate touch of beauty through his fingers  as he played the piano for us at lunch time. He hardly raised his voice and his approach toward us was always kind.

And, my husband Hugo, well, he was an atheist, who demonstrated such compassion for other human beings.  He was not blessed with the grace of belief. This often miffed me, how could this be?  He would stop to listen to a person as if time would stop. There was no hardness in his heart or ever a cruel word, a soft-spoken man of great kindness.  (God’s presence was with him  even if he did not acknowledge it or could see it in himself.  It appeared to me.)

What about me? Do I treat my fellow human beings with kindness of my time, or voice or ear? Do I put my faith in action?   Do I carry the Lord with me? What attitude do I really project? Am I just too busy or preoccupied with my own well-being and family matters to extend loving kindness to another or even a stranger?  Do I brush people off with a shallow smile? When life “gets” to me do I greet it with a sincere kindness, or do I lapse into human irritability, forgetfulness, or worse yet – terse apathy?

I find I often have to speak to myself – “just be kind, Doris.” Just be sincere and kind – be authentic.  Show up!  The Christly attitude does not seem to come naturally to me. Sometimes I am cranky and remote. Sometimes my good will is not received well. I ruminate and worry. My health fails. Sometimes I just do not remember to stay in contact with our Lord. Is it easier to close my door and “pray” for others in isolation, than to be present for them in kindness? Oh the Christian life can be a struggle. And yet, the two people in my life I remember the most, who made a difference to me, were the two who were the most kind – who cared.

I am a child of God; a work in progress; still learning; still trying, asking for forgiveness each day through the tears of my failings.  God loves us unconditionally and forgives us every day.  Many of you, my fellow Christians, show me the way to answer this calling, this question to be authentic in Christian kindness.  I admire and love you who answer this question in kindness as you teach me in truth to honor our Vine of Christ with one another.

Doris

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.