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Sunday, June 8, 2014

Forgiveness and Kindness

Our message in the Wheatland Parish on Sunday, June 8, 2014 was presented by guest speaker Gerri Carpenter of Onida!

           During our morning Bible Study, we have been studying Proverbs and one of the lessons that has really resonated with me was Lesson 5, "The Power of Friendship and Community". Especially Proverbs 17:9, "Those who erase a sin by forgiveness show love but those who talk about it come between close friends".
 
           Mother Teresa is credited with saying: People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

          I have been really thinking about how we need to be kinder. How many of you are not kind? Did you know that kindness is like another layer of clothing you should put on each day? Colossians 3:12 says "You are God's chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don't be proud. Be kind and patient." Kindness is something you put on. To me that means you can CHOOSE to be kind. Each morning as you are getting dressed, add some kindness as you put on your shoes and socks.  And as you walk out the door, grab some extra kindness along with your car keys.

         God's kindness is without limit. Kindness breaks down barriers and boundaries.  It opens doors and will open the door to the fullness of God's love and fellowship. Kindness takes in the objectionable and critical and welcomes those filled with bitterness and resentment. We who believe should be showing others the riches of God's incredible kindness. God offers His kindness to those who don't deserve it. Do we??

        The story of the Good Samaritan shows us several different types of people. Today we meet these same types of people in our everyday life. Also, when we look in the mirror, which of the following types of people look back at us?

        The first type is The Selfish and Hostile type, represented by the robbers. They are only interested in what THEY want. They will make their way up the success ladder no matter who they have to step on, who they have to use or who they have to hurt. In James 4:1-2, it says, "Why do you fight and argue among yourselves? Isn't it because of your sinful longings? They fight inside you. You want something, but you can't get it. You kill and want what others have. But you can't have what your want so you argue and fight."
  
        The priest and the Levite represent the next type of people, The Indifferent. We would expect either or both of them to stop and help, but instead they cross over to the other side of the road. Maybe they were so overwhelmed by other things that they thought they had nothing to offer. Indifferent people lack a compassionate heart. They won't kick you when you're down, but they sure won't help you up either. They ignore you and just keep walking.

        They could also represent the third type of person: The Legalistic. These type of people justify their indifference by following man made rules instead of God's higher law, which is to love one another. A couple of examples of these manmade laws might be: "if I were to stop to help, I will be late for work" or "If I am kind to that person, my friends won't include me anymore".

        And finally, the fourth kind of person is represented by The Samaritan, who is kind and compassionate. Kindness takes action. The Samaritan didn't pass by, he stopped to help. 1 Corinthian 13 says, "Love is kind". In other words, love takes action and finds expression though kindness. Kindness is love serving. To serve others requires actions such as giving and sharing or perhaps just a kind word. When was the last time you said a kind word to someone that needed encouragement? And don't we all need encouragement almost every day?

        Bruce and I just got home from a great trip to Minneapolis. Both of us were very impressed with how kind almost every person we met was. The people that worked in the stores, etc. were some of the most upbeat, smiling people we have encountered in a long time. And yes, that's supposed to be their job, but they went over and above what would be normally expected. Not only were they kind, but even on the hiways, this country bumpkin was granted many openings by people that didn't HAVE to let me in. And at the Twin's game, we met several people that were friendly and kind. All of this made for a totally awesome week...whereas the last time I was there for the same conference, it was exactly the opposite. The person that was trying to check me in at the motel was condescending and rude. The one restaurant I went into acted like they couldn't see me. And guess what? We didn't stay in that motel OR go back to that restaurant.

        There is a story about an elderly lady that always went to her local post office to buy her stamps. Just before Christmas one horribly cold winter, she was standing in a very long line to buy some stamps. A gentleman standing in line with her told her, "Ma'am, you don't have to wait in line to get stamps, you can buy them from the machine in the lobby." She replied, "I know, but the machine doesn't give me a smile and ask about my arthritis". The machine could only give stamps. The employees gave stamps AND kindness.
  
        We each have the ability to be kind to the people that we meet in our day. But we also have the ability to be mean, condescending and rude. Which one will we choose in our day? Do we remind them of their shortcomings? Or do we cover their mistakes and show them love and kindness? Will we use kindness as a part of our clothing?

        I read a quote on Face Book the other day and it says a lot. "Your most powerful testimony is how you treat people AFTER the church service is over." What is our testimony?

        Dear Father, As we go through our daily lives, help us add kindness to our clothing each day. Bless each of us with your love and kindness. Help us not to see the faults in others, but to cover their mistakes with forgiveness. Help us not to judge each other, but to show each other love. In your loving and forgiving name I pray. Amen

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