Brittany's Musings
Brittany Overbeck
Director of Youth Ministries
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
When I was younger, I remember complaining to my Dad about someone from school. My Dad always came up with phrases that I knew I would always remember...because he would remind me of them for years to come. In this instance my Dad's advice was "Kill 'em with kindness." Essentially, be so nice to the person that irritated me that they couldn't find anything wrong in me. Hmph.
It's much easier to be grumpy. Our society is really good about pointing out everything that is wrong in other people. Just check out the headlines, watch TV, read some Facebook messages. We are good at cutting other people down, being grumpy, finding the bad. We aren't so wonderful at finding the good, being kind. In fact, when people are kind, they make the news! It's the most amazing thing! Seems a little wrong somehow.
My friend is a doctor. She recently offered free or low cost physicals to students who needed them to play on sports teams. Students at the local Christian University heard and have been calling her office to make appointments. My friend commented to me that the majority of these students have been rude, downright rude. She won't be offering low-cost physicals to this University again.
As my friend shared her experience with me, it made me sad. What is so hard about being kind? Why is it easier to treat each other rudely, with disdain or disregard the needs of others? What is so wrong with being kind? When did we, Christians, forget that one of the things that is supposed to set us apart is kindness?
I'll admit, it's easier sometimes to be grumpy, to look at the bad, to cut others down...but it doesn't feel good. I don't like who I am when that happens. I'd rather be kind, loving, good, all the things that Paul told the church of Colossians they could be if the Spirit of God lived in them. I want to represent God in a positive, affirming way. How about you?