I was discouraged the other day. I live in a small town that is growing rapidly. Our community is definitely feeling some growing pains but none more than our schools. We just opened our fifth elementary school and changed the bus system to better accommodate the ever-growing student population. The first day brought traffic, late buses, and the crazy out in all of us parents. Being on both sides as an educator and parent, I could understand the frustrations of all. I cannot, however, relate to or excuse the "venting" and complaining that occurred on our community pages and social media. It made me sad and sick that while we claim to stand united, Prosper Proud, we, in turn, are bashing our administration and neighbors for all the world to read.
My mantra for our family: be kinder than necessary. We seem to always be on attack. Whether it's a neighbor who has a yard full of weeds, a teenager riding his skateboard in the middle of the street and not getting out of the way, a parent lost in carpool, or an administration who can't keep up with the demands of the parents, we are out to take down whoever does us wrong. We have lost the art of grace and kindness. Our go to is anger, resentment, and an "I'm gonna show you" mentality.
Can I challenge us to be kinder than necessary today and forever? This isn't a RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) activity that you do once to puff up your chest and fill your jar of good deeds. No. This is a lifestyle. Give grace to the checker who is moving so slow that the line backs up. This could be her first day. Don't honk at the mom who needs to move up in the carpool line. This may be her only time to get some peace and quiet before the kids come home and she may be into a really good healing book or a new mama sneaking a quick nap. Be kind to the parents who are dropping their kiddos off at a new school. This is just as hard for them as it is for the child and they may need an extra moment to garner the courage to let go. Find a way to help your school and district giving of your time and talents to improve you and your child's school experience instead of bashing them online. Be kinder than necessary.
Jesus gave us two commands: Love God and love your neighbor. Our neighbor does not just live next door. Our neighbor is the bus driver, the coworker, the child who comes over to play, the teacher, trash man, UPS worker, etc. Love them for He first loved you.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
There are days when I am not on point. My mind is in a million other places than what is before me and I may not see what you see. Be kind to me anyway. I may not agree with you. That's ok. Be kind anyway. I may do things completely backward from how you would. Be kind anyway. My actions may unintentionally frustrate you (and sometimes intentionally). Be kind anyway.
What would happen if we replaced hate and anger with kindness and grace? What would our world look like? What would our kids witness? Who would our kids become? On man, I wish we could adopt this kindness lifestyle so our children could witness that beauty and create a new world, a new society, that looks and is far more light and hopeful than what is before us today.
I challenge you today: Be Kinder than Necessary.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Love & Blessings,
Meg
My mantra for our family: be kinder than necessary. We seem to always be on attack. Whether it's a neighbor who has a yard full of weeds, a teenager riding his skateboard in the middle of the street and not getting out of the way, a parent lost in carpool, or an administration who can't keep up with the demands of the parents, we are out to take down whoever does us wrong. We have lost the art of grace and kindness. Our go to is anger, resentment, and an "I'm gonna show you" mentality.
Can I challenge us to be kinder than necessary today and forever? This isn't a RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) activity that you do once to puff up your chest and fill your jar of good deeds. No. This is a lifestyle. Give grace to the checker who is moving so slow that the line backs up. This could be her first day. Don't honk at the mom who needs to move up in the carpool line. This may be her only time to get some peace and quiet before the kids come home and she may be into a really good healing book or a new mama sneaking a quick nap. Be kind to the parents who are dropping their kiddos off at a new school. This is just as hard for them as it is for the child and they may need an extra moment to garner the courage to let go. Find a way to help your school and district giving of your time and talents to improve you and your child's school experience instead of bashing them online. Be kinder than necessary.
Jesus gave us two commands: Love God and love your neighbor. Our neighbor does not just live next door. Our neighbor is the bus driver, the coworker, the child who comes over to play, the teacher, trash man, UPS worker, etc. Love them for He first loved you.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
There are days when I am not on point. My mind is in a million other places than what is before me and I may not see what you see. Be kind to me anyway. I may not agree with you. That's ok. Be kind anyway. I may do things completely backward from how you would. Be kind anyway. My actions may unintentionally frustrate you (and sometimes intentionally). Be kind anyway.
What would happen if we replaced hate and anger with kindness and grace? What would our world look like? What would our kids witness? Who would our kids become? On man, I wish we could adopt this kindness lifestyle so our children could witness that beauty and create a new world, a new society, that looks and is far more light and hopeful than what is before us today.
I challenge you today: Be Kinder than Necessary.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Comments