March 1, 2016

Practice Kindness

Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.

-- Proverbs 12:25

There’s a quote that pops up every now and then on Facebook that goes something like this: Be kind because you don’t know the battles other people are fighting. How true.

The other day I learned that a dear friend is distraught over the bad decisions of a family member. She has hidden it well but the toll of keeping up appearances is wearing her down. Her heart is broken and that’s a hard thing to hide. And, frankly, she shouldn’t have to hide it.

Another friend suffers from severe depression that has caused memory issues. She has withdrawn further into herself because she doesn’t always recognize people and remember past events. People don’t understand and trying to explain it is just too exhausting.

Another friend smiles brightly at those around her. She is the picture of a calm, together woman. The slight shaking of her hands is the only evidence of the nervousness that plagues her. She is a fulltime caregiver to an adult son with autism. Some days he follows her around the house repeating the same things over and over again. There is no relief. Day after day. She loves her son but she is desperate for a break. You’d never know it from the smile on her face.

What is your private battle? We all have one. You don’t? Wait a while. You will. It’s part of life. A part of life we hide from others. We want to appear together, happy, satisfied with life. People want us to hide our hurts from them. Honestly, they don’t want to know.

Mostly we all just muddle along like that, until something happens and our hurts bleed over into life. Then we are blessed to encounter someone who is kind. We should remember that kindness when we encounter someone who is hurting.

Another dear friend is going through a tough, tough time. She talks too much and her eyes sometimes hold a shadow that few really see. She gets on people’s nerves when she rambles on and on. I know the hurt behind the words she isn’t saying. I ache for her and pray others will hold their harsh words and show kindness.

There is a reason kindness is listed as a fruit of the spirit. Practice it. You never know the silent battles others are fighting.