In the world we have grown accustomed to, kindness has become such a rare commodity that we are gobstruck when we encounter it.
One of the joys of being a Grandparent is that you get to experience the wonders of life in a whole new way.
If you have Grandchildren, you already know that Chicken McNuggets are a delicacy to be experienced! The key to making McNuggets so much more than just a meal, is the selection of a proper dipping sauce.
Choosing the wrong sauce can turn a good day into inconsolable sorrow, so great care must be exercised in the selection.
Last week on the way back from Silver Dollar City with our Grandsons, we made a stop at the McDonalds in Branson West. As we placed our orders, we hit a potential meltdown when the boys could not remember the name of the sauce they liked for the six piece banquet they had just ordered.
Anticipating the customary impatient huff or rolled eyes from the girl taking the order, I was actually taken back by what I saw over the next few moments. With a patient and kind spirit she began to ask the boys several questions about their favorite sauce, eventually producing two possible choices to show them.
And the winner is – Sweet and Sour! The day was saved!
As we sat eating dinner (2 Filet-O-Fish for $5.00= SCORE!) I thought about what had just taken place and how refreshing it was. I made the point of speaking to the manager before we left to tell her what a great job the girl who waited on us had done. The manager seemed shocked that someone would actually say something positive.
There was nothing really extraordinary about what this young lady did, she was simply patient and kind. I would like to believe that she was a Christian and that her kind, tenderhearted actions were based in a verse similar to this:
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
That night as I reflected on the day’s events, I was convicted about how many times a day I (we) miss the opportunity to make a similar impression on someone’s life by simply showing basic kindness and consideration.
Kindness might be patience with the customer service rep, speaking a kind word to the gas station attendant, or just bringing a little less stress to the bank tellers line. How often do we miss the opportunity to speak truth into someone’s life simply because we choose to be Jerks for Jesus rather than a reflection of Who and What He was?
We all have the ability to make a difference simply by showing the kindness that Christ has commanded us to give. Ephesians 4:32 wasn’t a suggestion or a point of reference!
What can you do starting right now, to show kindness to those God puts in your path?
Take the opportunity to completely freak someone out by being kind to them! They may even blog about you!