Kindness, A God Thing
There is a sign that sits in a school yard not far from where I live that says, "BE KIND TO ALL KINDS". There was as time in my life I would have ignored that sign. Growing up in a narrow-minded family, being kind to all kinds, was not acceptable. My father believed black men were used for work, day labor. We didn't talk to foreigners. I grew up with a very narrow view of others that were not of my "Kind".
When did I change? When I left home. Trust me, the change didn't come overnight.
Joining the Army, going through basic training, receiving my first assignment overseas, being single, I arrived in my unit in Germany. I lived in the barracks, two to a room. My room mate was black. I thought to myself, this is not going to work. I requested a change, the First Sergeant said not only No, but H..... No! So first-time in my
life I had to talk to someone different. I carried that experience with me for many years.
The first time I was invited into a black home for a meal I was involved in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a student. Another student invited us to dinner one evening. Being narrow-minded I was apprehensive, I didn't know what to expect. A little bit of fear crept into my mind. Well to my narrow-minded me, I was surprised to a normal meal, with laughter, stories and good food. Where had I been all my life? Locked in to a narrow-minded life!
I knew that God Loved me enough to place other kinds of people in my life. I didn't like it but that is beside the point. God wants us to do things that we don't want to do. He leads us to the edge of life-changing events then nudges us to jump.
There is no one in this world I would not talk with. I taught myself there are three people in any conversation. Myself, the other person and then, there is God.
The Lord wants us to BE KIND TO ALL KINDS. We are a part of that statement. Perhaps the Lord is a needed third party in order for someone to say hi to you! God Loves You!
When did I change? When I left home. Trust me, the change didn't come overnight.
Joining the Army, going through basic training, receiving my first assignment overseas, being single, I arrived in my unit in Germany. I lived in the barracks, two to a room. My room mate was black. I thought to myself, this is not going to work. I requested a change, the First Sergeant said not only No, but H..... No! So first-time in my
life I had to talk to someone different. I carried that experience with me for many years.
The first time I was invited into a black home for a meal I was involved in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a student. Another student invited us to dinner one evening. Being narrow-minded I was apprehensive, I didn't know what to expect. A little bit of fear crept into my mind. Well to my narrow-minded me, I was surprised to a normal meal, with laughter, stories and good food. Where had I been all my life? Locked in to a narrow-minded life!
I knew that God Loved me enough to place other kinds of people in my life. I didn't like it but that is beside the point. God wants us to do things that we don't want to do. He leads us to the edge of life-changing events then nudges us to jump.
There is no one in this world I would not talk with. I taught myself there are three people in any conversation. Myself, the other person and then, there is God.
The Lord wants us to BE KIND TO ALL KINDS. We are a part of that statement. Perhaps the Lord is a needed third party in order for someone to say hi to you! God Loves You!
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