As a life plan advisor at a retirement community, I’m part of a marketing team whose office is about 100 yards from administration. That means a lot of back and forth when I’m busy, so my step count – and surely my health – benefits.
It is rare for me to go from building to building without a stop or two. With 250 residents, I’m bound to run into a friend, and oftentimes, a few. Inevitably, conversation ensues. But ever a dutiful taskmaster, the clock reminds me I have work to do, and I’m reluctantly on my way.
One ordinary Thursday I was in a rush to get back to my office. Way down the hall, I noticed Mrs. Jones leaving her apartment and stopping a few doors down to knock on a neighbor’s door. As I neared, I couldn’t help but overhear their exchange.
“I wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday,” Mrs. Jones began. “I’m a Christian, and I know better than to talk about other people. I should’ve kept my mouth shut….” Her voice trailed as her neighbor tried to make her feel better.
“Why, I didn’t think twice about it, but I certainly forgive you. Would you like to come in and visit a while?”
About that moment, I brushed past the two of them, hugging the wall and pretending to be invisible.
Headed out for the day, Mrs. Jones declined her neighbor’s invitation and again reiterated why she was there. “I kept thinking about what I said last night, and I knew I had to apologize as soon as I could. I can’t take it back, but I am sorry for what I said.”
Soon enough, I was out of earshot, but I could still detect her neighbor’s gracious tone. There was something refreshingly childlike in their conversation, and my mind wandered to Robert Fulghum’s 1989 bestseller, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Sweet as saccharine, as memory serves me, his essays talked about how our world would be a better place if we followed the same rules we teach our children – how to share, clean up what you mess up, and be kind to one another.
We learn good manners, common decencies, and how to treat others when we’re young, but sometimes we forget when we grow up, don’t we?
Throughout the day, my thoughts returned to these women who were living their faith in the most basic of ways. Confessing sin. Forgiving quickly. When you live out your faith, people notice.
And, even if no one is around to observe, when you live out your faith, God is glorified.
I’ve grown frustrated and admittedly judgmental toward the absence of civility among people who identify as “Christian.” With a looming presidential election, we’ve already seen contention on both sides of the aisle. Social media and its echo chamber algorithms love to stir the pot. And yet, though our nation has become increasingly polarized, that doesn’t give any of us permission to be rude or hateful. Quite the contrary as people created in the image of God. As His image bearers, we have the privilege and responsibility of reflecting His character.
From Genesis to Revelation, we can discover glimpses of God’s character. Consider, for example, the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB):
…love, joy, peace. Patience, kindness, goodness. Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
In the Gospels, we meet God in human form through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. We see tenderness coupled with strength. Truth tempered by compassion. Power displayed through His touch, His actions, His words, and His prayers. In Jesus, we find a God who sympathizes with our weakness, understands our temptations, and forgives us again and again and again.
True, we’re born into a broken world, and in our flesh, we’re prone to sin. But, getting frustrated with or judgmental toward others doesn’t change a thing; it can even be self-destructive. What if, instead, we lived what we profess, following Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT) as our guide?
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
In living out their faith on an ordinary Thursday, two precious older ladies pointed me to Jesus and glorified God through their actions. I was reminded that some of the most important things I need to know I learned as a child.
Although counter-cultural in His time, Jesus invited little children into His life. He understood what Robert Fulghum would write about centuries later — kindergarteners are pretty darn smart.
Age is irrelevant in the kingdom of God. Living out our faith always makes a difference.
Every interaction with others is an opportunity to love well and bring glory to God. When we reflect any aspect of God’s character, we’re creating the kind of culture our broken world needs to see. We never know who might be watching, and our words and actions might just be preaching a message they need to hear.
Jill says
Lovely post. There is something special about these words today. They resonated with me, and I know they will with others too.
Robin Dance says
What a sweet little word-gift, Jill. Thank you for being part of our (in)community by reading and sharing your thoughts! <3
Shar says
A lovely post indeed!! As I sat in the dark this AM trying to wake up before getting ready for work, I started to get overwhelmed by today’s agenda. I sometimes lose focus on my purpose in this life and feel like I’m surviving instead of living. Jesus’s command came to mind that my purpose is to love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind and to love my neighbor! If I seek Him first, all else will fall into place! And then I opened today’s reading and felt so full to read a beautiful example and a reminder of how to put our purpose into action! So, today I will intentionally look for ways to be like Jesus!
Robin Dance says
Shar!! You’ve got me fired up to be fired up! I’m praying right now that BOTH of us (and anyone else with whom this resonates) to be intentional about showing (and speaking) the love of Christ <3.
Susen says
Beautiful message!
Robin Dance says
<3
Courtney says
This is so good! Thank you Robin.
Robin Dance says
Courtney,
God is sweet, isn’t He?
Kathy says
So encouraging and comforting to know I am not the only one who hates to see the hatefulness! Oh God, how this world needs a reminder that kindness matters. Please, thank you, may I, yes sir, yes ma’m…things I learned in kindergarten and I still live by them today! The things some want to teach our children is the total hatefulness of Satan. I pray for all to please love others as we love ourselves.
Robin Dance says
Kathy,
When we feel like there’s nothing we can do, prayer is ALWAYS something we CAN!!
Irene says
This is really a timely piece about our Christian walk, Robin! Thank you for your wise promptings. I will store them up and pull them out as needed. Thank you!
Robin Dance says
Irene,
Perfect timing is a lovely sign that God is in the midst of our lives. What a gift :).
Janet W says
Wonderful reading for a Monday morning \0/
Thank you Robin. The kindergartener in me is ready to face the day… blessed, grateful
“Every interaction with others is an opportunity to love well and bring glory to God. When we reflect any aspect of God’s character, we’re creating the kind of culture our broken world needs to see. We never know who might be watching, and our words and actions might just be preaching a message they need to hear.”
Robin Dance says
Janet,
Your comment made me smile :D. J’adore the kindergarteners in all of us!! <3
Grace says
I thank God for this message. The Holy Spirit always prompts me whenever I say or even listen to words about other people I am not sure are the truth. I try to encourage my family not to gossip about people. But lately I was beginning to go off a little bit. Thank God for waking me up with this message.
Robin Dance says
Grace,
I’ve often said conviction without condemnation is a gift of God to us; I hope you sensed only conviction! Our tongues and ears can get us in so much trouble, can’t they?
Beth Williams says
Robin,
I, too,, am dismayed at the lack of civility among people who identify as “Christian.” It doesn’t take much to be kind to others-a simple smile, thank you, holding doors open. Often times at work you will hear me say “thank you” to EVS (cleaning) people & central supply personnel for bringing us our needed items. When I volunteer with Loaves & Fishes Food Bank the customers often say thank you for the meals. I will say “have a good weekend & God bless you”. I want to glorify God in ALL that I do & say.
Blessings 🙂
Harriet says
Thank you Robin for all your great articles. May share them with others?