Over the last few weeks the world has revolved around an
unknown city, Ferguson, a renowned comedian and apparent spokesman for the
family who is now in disrepute while most have long forgotten the suicide of an
incredible person who made us laugh but struggled with his life. I too struggle
at times with the meaning of my life. What’s really important? Is it my bank
account? Is it how many views I get on a recent post or more importantly
whether my family has loved me or I have shown them my love for them? It is oh
so easy to let life pass us by while being consumed by lesser things, which
don’t matter.
I received a text from a friend I hadn’t really been around
much over the last year. I quickly replied and asked whether this person wanted
to talk on the phone or meet in person. This was rather short sided on my part
not to realize that this friend needed my ear and my heart. So we met and
enjoyed a sandwich and I listened to someone pour out their heart about the
real meaning of life. This friend was struggling with what really should matter
and their apparent lack of a sense of purpose in their present life
circumstances.
What my friend didn’t realize as we listened to each other
that day that I too was in a ‘blah’ type of mood. I had a cold that made the
many things on my plate seem to be very oppressive. I too needed encouragement
and appreciation as everyone else does. The challenge for me is that I’m supposed
to be the one with the answers and readiness to help those in need like my
friend. Yet, I too was hurting because of my unwillingness to trust God with
the details of my life. Too often I forget my past because of the weightiness
of the present. The typical question of whether anyone really cares about me is
ever before me. Why hasn’t one of my special friends gone out of their way to
text, e-mail or call me? I don’t consider whether I’ve made the first step?
As I listened to my friend I shared the simple fact that
life is both an amazing gift that is truly incredible but also very fragile and
requires a label that says handle with care. I’ve become addicted to pulling
quotes of amazing people off the Internet to share with others. I confess that
I haven’t actually read anything by Mark Twain and would have a sense that he
was someone that was shallow and not capable of intellectual spunk! Yet, as I
reflect on a quote about kindness my heart craves for someone to be kind to me!
The language that everyone understands is when someone is
kind to them for no apparent reason. According to Mr. Twain this type of
kindness is what the deaf can hear and the blind can see. What I needed that
morning was for a friend to remind me of my purpose in life and not allow
myself to become obsessed with the ‘success god’. It is too easy to measure my
life by statistics, which always come back to numbers that you contrast with
another. As my parents told me there will always be someone who is worse off
than you and others who can make you feel like a failure.
The gift of kindness is based upon an individual’s
willingness to put their life on hold momentarily for another to show an act of
kindness and interest for what makes them ‘tick’. That day I was able to encourage
my friend who later posted how God used friends that day in their life to give
them a reason to keep going and not stop or seriously consider hurting
themselves. I can’t fathom the mindset that led Robin Williams to find a belt
and hang himself? His struggle was hidden to most and those who understood his
daily battle didn’t always know the power of depression and darkness.
My prayer, in the midst of all of the reverberations of
injustice in the world, is that the little person or superstar that struggles
with life could have someone show them kindness. I believe that it is this
simple act of being nice for no real reason that will give a person the hope to
try life one more day. God heard my personal prayer that day through a younger
friend whose asking for help actually helped me!
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