Brad and I stopped to stroll to the General Sherman tree at Sequoia NP, then hopped back on the bikes heading for the north exit. As luck would have it, we quickly caught up to a very slow pickup towing a very big trailer, with double lines on the road, meaning “DON’T PASS,” so we obeyed. Yeah, we got frustrated a little at the pace, but the driver kindly took the first chance at a turnout, and our bikes became bikes again. As we carved the turns I pondered the goodness of receiving kindness. Frankly, a lot of slow drivers seem oblivious. And yes, some of those sported Christian symbols of varied versions. Maybe they bought the car used? 😉
Yet an event two days later demonstrated that kindness is a double-edged sword. Riding north to Bridgeport, Mick noticed a wear spot on my rear tire, a bad one showing some threads. I did find a shop that had the right tire, but 60 miles away. I usually like to go fast and lead the pack, but the tire scared me, so I crawled at 55 mph up Hiway 395 to Carson Valley, 10 below the limit. Yes, I backed some cars up, and remembered the kindness shown by the pickup/trailer driver. So I pulled over for 10 cars. Soon another pullover, 20 this time. Frankly, the nice feeling at giving kindness was just as good as receiving it earlier. Maybe better. Honest.
My lesson: kindness works—both in giving and receiving. Not surprising, it’s part of the fruit of the Spirit. And while giving kindness in this age of road rage is both rare and right, kindness should touch every arena of life. Marriages. Work. Neighbors. Perhaps even politics? Isn’t that what Jesus meant when he gave the Golden Rule, to treat others as we’d like to be? I tend to want justice—when I’m wronged. But when I wrong someone, I yearn for grace. For kindness.
I suspect we all enjoy receiving grace gifts of kindness, but let’s remember that kindness is a two-way street. As we forgive, so shall we be forgiven.
Kick Starting the Application
What most convicts you about this week’s post? What most encourages you? If you asked friends and family who know you to scale you 1-10 on being a kindness giver, how would you rank? Are you happy with that? Is God likely to like that?