Last week after breakfast, my wife, Sandra, her nurse, Wendy, and I were discussing religious topics as we usually do. By the way, Wendy is an excellent cook and had prepared a delicious omelet for me to enjoy. Wendy read a statement off her cell phone, which I found to be profound. It hit me like a ton of bricks. She read when you have to choose between, being “Right” and being “Kind”, always choose to “Be Kind”, The reason it struck me to my core is in the last seventy-seven years I have always chosen to “Be Right”. I wrote in my first book that I am a very opinionated person. I am a political and religious conservative. I don’t apologize for that. My former superintendent of schools told me I see everything as black or white, right or wrong. He said there is no gray area with me. That was absolutely correct. I don’t argue with people in public and I have never lost my temper, but people know where I stand and what I believe. For the last week after Wendy read her statement, I have tried my best to “Be Kind” in every interaction I have. When someone approaches me with a statement I disagree with, I think “Be Kind” and just remain completely silent. After an uncomfortable few seconds, the other person usually changes the subject. Maybe it is not too late to teach an old dog new tricks. We will see how long it lasts. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”.
Proverbs 11:17 says, “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
Proverbs 21:21 says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”                                                                                             Luke 5:31 says, “and as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Some notable quotes are:
“One kind word can change someone’s entire day”.
“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody”.
“If you want more kindness in the world – put it there.

If “Be Kind” is important enough to be listed as one of the “Fruits of the Spirit”, then it is important enough for us to live by.