Nougat 23

Hello my dears

How are you? Can you imagine that little over 9 months ago, we were all blissfully unaware that some of the best made plans for 2020 were going to come crashing down! Now here we are, masters of tele-living, often against our desires and hopefully healthy and well despite the circumstances. Some of us have paid dearly in this season but none of us have been completely unaffected.

But there is good news; and that’s what is alluded to in today’s Holy Nougat

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience— bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord pardoned you, so also you must pardon others. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect harmony.” Colossians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭TLV‬‬

While the coronavirus has been a serious challenge; in many quarters, kindness has been in vogue. Here in Geneva, I think of colleagues who volunteered with the Caravan de Solidarité to ensure that the hungry were fed. Others happily helped families and individuals get around amidst their vulnerability and, to coin a popular UN phrase, no one was left behind. While that may be an exaggeration of the sustainable development goals, several folks – individually and in groups – rolled out acts of kindness to others in need. And wasn’t there a need!

This is reminiscent of the treatment Paul and others experienced in Malta after the shipwreck in Acts 28. Kindness is often understood as having a friendly, open and helpful disposition toward others, whether friends or not. Usually it extends beyond mere talk to very concrete actions.

For some of us, kindness is easy. We happily give of ourselves in and out of season, especially when we have more than enough.

But what about when we scarcely have enough?

Or the required help impinges on our financial comfort?

Or it’s a loan we suspect won’t be repaid?

Or the person in need is not even an acquaintance?

Is it still easy to be kind?

I maintain that this Lifetime Lifestyle outfit is like the winter garb I’m wearing now; it’s layers. For, kindness wears well with tender compassion. Our ability to feel ‘for’ another usually helps us in being generous with our time, talents and treasure as needed.

May our (simple) acts of kindness today only be outshone by a genuine smile or outdone by prayer.

God bless you

In Christ’s love and grace . . .