Hi friends. You’ll find this week’s “musing” to be all over the place, which is a lot like having a conversation directly with me 

This has certainly been an interesting 5 months, hasn’t it? I am so thankful to know that God is faithful, consistent, unfailing in his love, and above all, in control. Several years ago I was on the roof of a hospital parking garage freaking out about my mom’s cancer surgery. A dear friend said, “Amy, you need to make a choice. Either God is sovereign or he is not. Whatever you decide will determine how you live your life.” I chose (and choose) to believe that he is indeed sovereign; it certainly helps me to maintain perspective!

We have been confronted with so many big issues (at least from the world’s perspective), and people have big opinions about these big issues. If you watch the news or are on social media, you’ll see these opinions on display. Quite often the opinions on social media are unkind or lacking in grace (e.g., “If you don’t agree with me you shouldn’t be my friend.”). And these unkind opinions are often coming from God’s chosen people! What kind of light are we being in this dark world when we display a lack of grace for people who disagree with us? How can we show the hope we have in the forgiveness that God has given to us when we ourselves are unforgiving and treat people with unkindness? Please know that I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take a stand for truth and for the oppressed; we’re called to be a light in the world and to uphold the cause of the poor. I do think we need to look at the words we are using as we take that stand.

I’ve made a decision to invest in others by practicing kindness during this difficult season and by investing in the social, emotional, and mental health of my friends. What does that look like? Well, for me it looks like not entering into arguments with people on social media, and it looks like not posting items that will stir up controversy. It looks like being there for people in the capacity they are comfortable with… whether it’s grocery shopping, Zoom events, phone calls, or seeing each other face-to-face. I cannot begin to describe how emotionally healthy it was for me to see so many of you at the “picnic” on August 2!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about kindness:

·       “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” ~ Unknown

·       “Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person.” ~ Mr. Rogers

And, of course, here are some Scriptures:

·       “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” ~ Colossians 3:12

·       “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32

Let me know how I can show kindness to you during this season.

Amy