Kindness Matters

Kindness Matters. Such a simple statement with an amazingly complex meaning. 

I had a professor at the University of Mobile, Dr. Sue Gober, whose kindness changed my way of thinking. I would have considered myself a kind person before my last semester at UM. I didn't mind to help anyone that asked for my help, but I wasn't intentional. I wasn't going out of my way for others without being prompted. My kindness was extrinsic. Dr. Gober on the other hand, she was intentional with me. Her motives came from an intrinsic place. I asked for nothing yet I received encouraging texts, emails, and calls all the time, just for kindness sake. I didn't understand why she did and said the things that she did; she always told me she was doing what Jesus would do. Through her kindness, I felt the love of God.

I wanted to share that same love and kindness that I had experienced with others, so I started modelling myself after her. What a difference it made! God used that decision in my life to open doors of opportunity to speak into the lives of the people around me. I'm sure Dr. Gober, at that time, had no idea how she was changing my life. Her kindness mattered. I feel Leo Buscaglia said it best, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

I encourage you to take the time, be intentional, and show kindness to those around you.

Baggage

Life can be so incredibly hard at times. It's so easy to take all the struggles, the pain, the hurt and tuck it away deep inside of ourselves. Desperately trying our best to cover it up and hide it like that could possibly make it any easier to deal with. I tell you today my friends, that it doesn't make it easier. We carry around this extra baggage like it's no big deal, like it isn't killing us inside. Drop the baggage! Drop it at the feet of Jesus ! He can handle the load. That bank statement, give it to Jesus! That problem in school, give it to Jesus! That sickness, that family member, that child thats gone astray, that addiction, whatever the struggle... Give it to Jesus! Psalms 55:22 says to cast your burdens on The Lord because He cares for you. You don't have to bear your burdens alone. Never! You can trust Him. Such freedom comes from knowing that we no longer have to worry about it but that the God that holds the universe in the palm of His hand, has got it completely under control.

The Weight of These Waves

My heart breaks for hurting people. I asked God for a long time to break my heart so that my feet would move and that I might act. I search for words that bring hope and love because everyone deserves to feel that. So, today if you're feeling the weight of the waves, find comfort in this...
God will never leave you, you're never alone. He will show up for you, just in time. Life can be so incredibly hard, especially in the midst of a storm. Have courage, bathe the situation in prayer, rebuke satan for he is the father of all lies, and cry out to God to move mountains that seem impossible because He can. He holds this entire world in His hands and yet is still so perfectly and tenderly holding you. You can run to Him even if all you have to offer are tears, confusion, questions, and hurt. They are an acceptable offering. He can take all of that and turn it into a beautiful testimony to His goodness and love. The war is already won! Sometimes I worry about my future and what it holds, as God whispers for me to trust Him. I wonder where God is during the hard times and barely notice that His loving arms are carrying me. I pray for the hard times to end, not knowing how God is working through that situation for others. He is an almighty, all powerful, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, loving, on-time God. YOU are His precious child and He loves you with an infinite, crazy love. As long as you hold on to Him those waves CANNOT crush you.