Thought of the Sunday 21

There's a nice children's song that I was thinking about today called Kindness Begins With Me.  The words are short and simple:

I want to be kind to everyone,

for that is right, you see.

So I say to myself, "remember this:

kindness begins with me." 

At this moment in my life I don't have a ton of opportunity to be kind simply because I don't interact with a lot of people, but I have recently seen many kindnesses directed toward me.  These kind souls have thought of me and chatted with me and offered things that I actually needed.  They are great examples to me of how I need to be kind right back.  If I think something they have done is nice then I should acknowledge it in gratitude and kindness.

And of course, even though I say I don't have a ton of opportunity to be kind, I actually do have plenty of opportunities.  I always need to be kind to my husband and I see him everyday.  There are others online and in phone calls that I can practice kindness on too.  I have neverending interactions with others which allow me to practice kindness.  And practice I must, because I am not always kind.  

Here is a great scripture in Ephesians 4:32:

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

What a great reminder not to judge or be rude to others.  Christ has done so much for me because He loves me.  I need to learn and cultivate that same love for others so that kindness comes naturally to me.  I think this just may be a lifetime pursuit.