Try A Little Kindness

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye might be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”  Philippians 2:14-15

We have just commemorated the 20th anniversary of the worst terror attack on our nation’s homeland when nearly 3,000 people died that day as planes flew into the twin towers in New York City.  They tell us that over 4,000 have also died due to cancers and lung diseases from breathing all the smoke and toxic debris that resulted from the collapse of the World Trade Center.  Many others were killed in Pennsylvania in the plane destined to crash into the halls of government in Washington, and others were killed at the Pentagon when a plane flew into the building.  There are thousands of college age men and women who weren’t even born when this tragedy occurred.  Some of them were interviewed on television, and I was appalled at their cavalier attitude toward that day’s horrible event.  I think about previous generations, particularly the “great generation” who fought in WWII.  My Dad was one of those who fought at Guadalcanal.  I also think about all those men and women who gave their lives or their limbs fighting the very ones who caused 9/11.  Everyone who was not a very small child remembers where they were when they heard the news.  I was at work when my husband called and told me what had happened.  I immediately went on line and begin to watch this horrible event unfold.  That day changed the world forever.

There are many things that our nation stands in need of today, among them are patience, goodness, peace, forbearance, and kindness.  There are still some kind folks around, but they just seem to be a little harder to find.  People have become cynical, distrustful, and suspicious, especially since 9/11, and these attitudes have only deepened.  I don’t have to list all the things today that have folks upset, worried, and depressed.  Where is our faith?  Why aren’t the churches filled as much as they could be with social distancing?  After 9/11, folks were packing the churches, but it didn’t take but just a few weeks for things to go back to “normal”.  Folks either have short memories or just don’t have an eye to eternity or a thought about God’s judgment.

A while back I went to the Home Depot to buy some grass seed and a bale of wheat straw.  I had to move my vehicle to the trailer to pick up the straw, but had to wait several minutes for someone to come, open the trailer, and get my order.  I was just about ready to go back into the store and see if I could summon someone to help me when a lady employee walked toward me.  She apologized and said no one had notified her that a customer was waiting at the trailer.  I said, “That’s OK. I knew someone would come eventually.”  She was very accommodating and apologetic as if she expected me to “jump down her throat” for making me wait.  She retrieved the bale of wheat straw from the trailer and loaded it in my vehicle.  I thanked her.  I don’t remember if I offered to give her a tip, which is usually my habit.  Some retail outlets discourage their employees from taking tips.

As I drove away, I thought about all the people who have an arrogant attitude and get upset when they don’t get their way.  Retail personnel are ready targets for hateful people.  Even if she had been arrogant and acted like I was a bother to her (and I have had plenty of those folks wait on me), I still don’t have the right as a child of the King of glory to act hateful in return.  After all, you never know what someone is going through.  Jesus said to let our light so shine that others may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

You may ask what has this story to do with 9/11.  Nothing directly, but I didn’t want this momentous occasion to pass without reminding myself about the sacrifices that so many made that day.  When we think back to that tragic day, our nation was one united nation ready to help our neighbors and seek justice for those who lost their lives at the hand of one of the world’s most brutal enemies.  I wish we could return to a united nation without having to face such a tragedy again.  A little kindness goes a long way.