Monday Devo - Try a Little Kindness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:21-23, NKJV.

You all probably remember Glen Campbell's song, "Try a Little Kindness." (If you'd like to hear him sing this song, this is a link: "Try a Little Kindness".

I like the way he thought. When all else fails, try kindness. In fact, you might try that first.

Not long ago, I saw a woman snubbed by her neighbors. She has either dementia or Alzheimer's, and apparently a bit of kleptomania. She's been accused of stealing. A few missing items from her neighbors' yards and patios have a habit of showing up in her apartment. I can understand their unhappiness but wish they would treat her with more kindness. I don't think she knows she's stealing. I do think she needs to be in a memory care place, and that's probably next on her lifeline, but I'd love to see her remaining time on the "outside" to be pleasant.

You might know someone who is, for one reason or another, particularly annoying or irritating. You might know others who seem to deliberately agitate and stir things up. Have you noticed that chastising them just adds fuel to the fire?

I wonder if treating them with kindness might change things for the better. It might not change the kleptomania--that's not something they have a pill for--but it might change some of her defensive behavior. I know it has worked for me when I've been kind to her.

Know anyone who could maybe need a little sweetness in their lives?

Lord, please lead us to those who need to be treated with more respect and kindness, and give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to begin the change. In Jesus's name, Amen.