Kindness

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I remember sitting there eagerly waiting for one to be dropped in my lap.  My heart beating, my legs shaking with excitement and my smile beaming from ear to ear.  The energy was spreading in the room like it was Christmas morning.  The excitement was contagious. 

The room was filled with at least 150 people and we were all excitedly talking about the same thing.  It was after dinner and that meant one thing: Barnabus notes were being passed out!

It happened every summer when my youth group went to church camp.  Barnabus letters were simple notes of encouragement each student was assigned to write to another student every day that week.  Every note for four days was signed “Barnabus” so the other person wouldn’t know who was writing the letters until the last day when we would sign our names to reveal who we were.

These hand-written notes were filled with encouraging words (the idea came from Barnabus in the Bible and his reputation for giving encouragement) that acted as a pick-me-up for everyone throughout their day.  It was a way of showing people they were known, loved and cared for.  It was an intentional example of showing kindness to someone.

If going to college has taught me anything, it’s that people are hurting.  People have real problems.  The struggle is real!  I know this isn’t anything new, but I think sometimes it’s easy to forget.  It’s easy to forget about other people when I am 6 feet deep in a grave overflowing with assignments;  when my planner really can’t pencil in another obligation; when my feet are blistered from running back and forth, going place to place; when my body physically aches trying to meet all the expectations I set for myself.  It’s easy to forget about other people when I feel trapped by my own thoughts and responsibilities and breathing feels more like suffocating.

It’s times like these when I’m so quick to think the world revolves around me- and it doesn’t.

I get stuck in my own head and buy into the temptation of believing my to-do list is more important than anyone or anything else that day.  The person I’m on the elevator with?  She’s going through things I can’t even imagine.  Or she might be having the same hard day I am.  Then there’s the girl next to me who is on the phone complaining about her issues; and it was so loud, I think the whole block heard it.  She’s not annoying, she’s hurting.  Then there’s the waitress serving me who is taking forever, hasn’t refilled my drink and she’s the worst I’ve ever had. She’s exhausted from working two jobs and going to school but barely makes enough money to get by.  People are going through things.  And sometimes, I really need to take a step back and ask myself how I can make someone else’s load lighter.

Making myself step outside of my own bubble and into someone else’s perspective allows me to take the focus off of my own problems.  A simple act of kindness and an encouraging word can lift someone’s heart to make them stronger than the worries pulling them down.

What might seem annoying and frustrating is actually a God-given opportunity to turn someone’s whole day around.  Intentionally spending time with someone, writing an encouraging note, or simply offering a smile can make a big difference.  That’s why I need to get out of my own way.  Responsibilities certainly keep us on track for our tasks, but they selfishly win at keeping us away from what’s most important: people.

I want to be known for how I intentionally love others.  I should never be too absorbed with myself that I neglect treating people well.  You never know the lasting impact it will have on people.

I’m 20 years old, and I still have the Barnabus’ I kept that people wrote me ten years ago.  Kindness makes a difference in people’s lives and gives them hope to cling to on tough days.  Be someone’s Barnabus this week, and be kind!

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-12

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