Kindness - It's a Vivas Thing!

Aug 17 2017

Be Kind Reflections

Today was one of those days where you just need everything to stop so you can hear yourself think. Instead it was the craziness of the first week of school; filled with the needs of students, their families, the staff, and everything else. So tonight while I waited for my daughter’s appointment to finish, I decided to have some dinner and enjoy the solitude.

I was on my way to my favorite salad place, when I passed by a sushi restaurant, and found myself wandering in there instead. How many? Just one please. You sit at bar? No, can I have the booth please?

It was a nice, comfy booth, with little curtains for privacy…just what I needed to sit and ponder with.

As I sat there, I read through news that I wanted to catch up on, which included the opening of Josh Stevens Elementary. As I read about the grand opening and glanced thru the photos of the ceremony, I thought about what a wonderful influence Joshi was for us all. And it wasn’t just that he was so kind…but it was that he took the time to notice what was around him, and REACT to it in a kind way. There was a beautiful photo of his parents just taking it in, and I was reminded of the conversations we’d had about how much he loved them; no adored them! And his sister and brother. Josh wasn’t a kid who kept quiet about his family; in fact, it was just the opposite. He took any opportunity to brag on them, especially his dad.

As I sat there quietly eating, I couldn’t help but hope that I could be like Josh and notice what has been placed around me.

As I paid my check and walked out, I decided to go for a walk while I waited some more. It was a beautiful night, and I do enjoy walking. A few moments later, I passed by a young woman and her adorable little boy. He looked to be about three years old. They were talking and she was doing something on her phone, so I passed by. I came to a stop, then turned around and headed back, only to have that nudge to stop and see what she needed.

I apologized for interrupting their evening, but wondered if I could assist them. Did they need a ride, something else? The young mother said she was having issues with her phone and the Uber app, so she couldn’t catch a ride home. I introduced myself, to which she responded with her name, which she remarked meant, “Hope” in Russian. She also mentioned her mom would be very upset to see she was accepting a ride from a stranger! I responded that my children would probably be upset to find out I was giving a ride to a stranger!

Turns out we had a pleasant chat as I drove her to her hotel. I learned she is looking for a fresh start and hopes to move here to start over; much as I did 27 years ago with my own son.

As I drove back to pick up my daughter from her appointment, I had a small glimmer of hope. Perhaps tonight, I was a little like Josh, able to notice what was surrounding me and offer just a little bit of kindness to someone who really needed it.

Jan 24 2015

Model Pranksters

So I came across a video this week and it really kinda got to me. It reminded me of the times we’ve gone with B-Boo to feed the homeless and pass out blankets. It never ceases to amaze me how no matter how down they are, they still rush to help each other and make sure the others are being taken care of as well.

They are the first to take care of each other. Instead of trying to get more, they offer what little they have. They are grateful for whatever they are given. They understand acts of kindness and love.

In the video, the well dressed guy is helped, while the homeless man is discarded; ignored. Which got me to thinking even more about people in general.

Who are we most like when it comes to showing kindness and compassion to others in our lives? Do we only show kindness to those who have it all together and ignore those in our lives who don’t?

Do we makes excuses for our own actions of meanness and indifference by convincing ourselves that those we treat this way somehow deserve it?

Even more, are we the one that has no problem showing mercy and grace to strangers who desperately need help, but then have no problem stepping on those in our own personal lives that need us more than ever?

Do we so easily discard those we claim to love like they are so undeserving of anything more from us?

I hope not!

I pray that I can be an example to those who surround me. That I can not become so wrapped up in my own life and my own needs, that I forget what love and compassion and kindness are all about. That I can look around and notice when there is a need and and act upon it…in the right way. I pray that I can stop making excuses for any mean thing that I do, and instead recognize it and stop myself, and do the right thing.

Do the right thing because it is what we are called to do.

I believe that we are called to be good, and true, and kind, and compassionate and to love others as we would want to be loved. I also know that sometimes, we are so caught up in ourselves that we forget.

Instead, we close our eyes to that which we don’t want to see and convince ourselves that our behavior is ok, when it really isn’t.

Meanness is never ok and love conquers all. Sometimes we just lose our focus and need a little reminder.

This is me, just being real.

Here’s the video.

May 25 2013

Assumptions

My son and I were walking out of Fresh & East a few moments ago. We have to walk pretty slow these days because of his constant pain. We try to make light of it and call him an “old man” so we can try to be upbeat and positive.

A truck was coming so I slowed my walk to keep pace with my son. As we made it across the parking lot, the man rolled his window down and yelled at us, “Could you walk any slower???”

My response was to turn around and yell back, “He’s hurt!”

And that’s when I saw his little girl turn her head and look at us. My son was quick to anger. Who can blame him? He was just trying to cross the street and he is accused of purposely trying to irritate this man.

I told him I felt sorry for the man who automatically assumes we were trying to be jerks.

How sad is it that in today’s society people are so negative. The worst is automatically assumed. Instead of thinking of others, we automatically think of ourselves. Instead of showing a little love and kindness we strike out and bite the hand hand that is trying to feed us.

What would happen if we all just took a deep breath, relaxed and tried being kind. Tried showing a little compassion. Tried showing a little love.

What would happen if we started thinking of others and putting them first? What would happen if we became a “half full world” instead of a “half empty world?”

How will we ever teach our children if we can’t show them ourselves?

I know there is love and kindness in the world. I have seen compassion. I have felt forgiveness.

Lord, help me to reveal your Spirit even when the odds are against me.
Amen

Dec 05 2010

A Child’s Heart Remembered – Josh Stevens Foundation

posted by Hope via joshstevensfoundation.org

I teach Bible study on Sunday mornings to our youth at church. I love these teenagers with all my heart. It was through this youth ministry that I met Josh. I’ll never forget the first time I met him. Shelbie, his older sister brought him in and sat him down next to her. She put her arm around him and announced that this was her little brother and that he’d be joining us that morning. He wasn’t technically old enough to be in the class yet, but I was touched by how his sister wanted him there, and the smile on his face; so he stayed.

And he was such a blessing to our youth group. His smiles, his enthusiasm for life, his rap songs, and his kindness. Josh was not afraid to seize any opportunity to show Christ to others through his Kindness.

This morning, I taught on seizing the opportunity when God puts it before you. Don’t miss your chance; don’t ignore it, just take the moment, the opportunity, and do something with it!

A little while later, I was helping run the *store* for our Children’s Ministry. Each month, the children have the chance to turn in tickets that they have earned in Bible study for a prize. One little boy in particular wanted the gingerbread man on the parachute. We dug through the bag and gave it to him as we received his tickets. Next came a little girl who only had one ticket, but wanted a two ticket item. She’d already spent two of her tickets, but really wanted the next item on her list. I thought about just giving it to her, but the table was crowded with children who were trying to get there *purchases* in and I felt an *urge* to leave it alone. Very unlike me. *smile*

A few moments later, the boy who wanted that little gingerbread man handed it back to me. He asked if he could please have his tickets back. I was puzzled, but then my heart melted as I watched him hand her his ticket so that she could have the special Christmas bookmark that she wanted.

I so wanted to give him a kindness card, as his special act reminded me so much of Josh; but I didn’t have one with me. But God is good and was showing me something, because there was a Kindness card to be found in the church. I grabbed another gingerbread man on a parachute, the Kindness card, and went in search of the boy, who was just leaving the church. I stopped his mother, and asked her to wait for one moment. Then I asked Jonathan, the boy, if he knew what a Kindness card was. Indeed, he did. I explained to him how wonderful his act of kindness was this morning, and how he had reminded me so much of Josh that it brought tears to my eyes. He smiled graciously, as he took his Kindness card and his gingerbread man.

It is moments like these that we need to seize; exactly what I was trying to teach a roomful of teenagers this morning. Exactly what Josh would have done.

Seize the opportunity; Be Kind and Bless someone else today.

visit joshstevensfoundation.org