Tip of My Iceberg

Our company had a family fall festival recently that boasted a hayride, bounce houses, a pumpkin patch where every child could choose an orange gourd, and enough barbecue and macaroni and cheese to satisfy any appetite.

A definite highlight was the petting zoo. Small goats, a tiny pig, a calf, and a variety of different species of chickens that invited small hands and larger the chance to stroke an animal that most would never have as a pet. Watching small children burst into grins and giggles as animals nibbled at their outstretched hands and untucked shirts was priceless.

The guardians of the animals stood around the enclosure, watching how people interacted with the animals, making small yet gracious comments to overly excited little ones, and making sure the animals had some space every now and again.

The phrase I heard repeated was “Be a little gentler, honey. Remember, be kind to animals.”

Kindness is something animals and people both enjoy. Being treated with respect, being seen for who you really are, and experiencing warmth from those you care for is the living out of kindness.

Mark Twain once commented, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” It’s an attitude that embraces people with compassion, reminding others of their value, and helping them encounter appreciation. No matter who or where they are in life. The ancient Roman Philosopher Seneca the Younger, said, “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.”

When we talk about the holidays that are quickly approaching, we often consider this as the time of year for unselfish kindness toward others.

There’s no expiration date on kindness. It’s something we should be sharing with others constantly, a demeanor of friendliness, generosity, and consideration. Those aren’t values often espoused by our culture, by any culture. We’re too often induced to think only of ourselves, what makes us look good, feel good, or be happy.

Jesus was all about kindness. He loved and cared for people everywhere He went. He preached love, grace, and forgiveness. Paul, who learned from Jesus, said, “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.” Galatians 5:13-14

We were created to have a free will, to choose how we’ll act. Such freedom also provides the opportunity to choose to be kind and good to others. To see others as more important than ourselves. Our struggle often is in being kind to ourselves; it’s so much more difficult being kind to others if we can’t or won’t care for our own needs.

It’s easy to treat animals with kindness. They can’t tell us what they need; they can either cozy up to us or run away, depending on how they experience us.

People typically won’t tell others what they need, for appearing needy seems weak. We prefer putting our best foot forward so others will see the best of us.

Yet we need kindness. Jesus offers us His kindness and grace and also gives us the heart to treat others with a warmth that doesn’t come easily for any of us.

We’re not cute and cuddly like many animals, nor are we gracious enough to draw others to us because of our compassion. But we do need kindness for us to thrive in this life.

What will you use your freedom to accomplish?