kindness of strangers

Nothing is more moving than the kindness of a stranger. I am always curious about anyone who seems to nice to be true. Doesn't it make you want to know more about them? It does me. Some people constantly watch for opportunities to bless others, with a kind word, a smile or a compliment.

It is amazing to see the reaction people have when you go out of your way to be nice to them. To serve them. I don't always do this well, but, I have recently been on a mission to remain aware of opportunities around me. It is fun!

Simple things like not just saying a quick thanks, but being very specific with your thanks. Big sincere thank yous to total strangers!

Thank you - words that build up, when so much of their day they may get torn down and criticized. Makes me wonder why such simple things seem so hard. Maybe we just get used to investing our thank yous and kindness in those we already care about, or in those we will get something back from.

Let's cover the strangers we come in contact with kindness, kindness that cannot be explained except that we love our Lord and so value those around us.

what I learned today

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."

—Romans 8:5–6

I cannot imagine how horrible it would be without the Holy Spirit in our lives. How hopeless to be focused on sinful things, a pointless life really. I started my day, which is a gift from the Lord in itself, asking God to fill my mind with pleasing things, Holy Spirit lead things the entire day. Does this guarantee perfection? Of course not, because somewhere along the way today I'll try to take over and mess something up!!

I cannot control my thoughts and actions without His intervention. I get mad, I get jealous, I spend time worrying about things I have no control over without His help. So today I put on the armor of the Holy Spirit and give Him my day.

Nancy Beach from the WillowCreek church says, "Things we know, doctrines we say we believe are useless and meaningless if they don't affect our daily lives."

I was reading about Art in the Bible recently, in it the author writes about celebrating the 'Lordship of Christ over the whole of man...' Lordship of Christ over man - this is what I am learning, that is what I desire. I was reminded again today how much I need the Holy Spirit in my daily life and how important it is to submit to this daily!