If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr.
Home is where we tie one end of the thread of life.
Martin Buxbaum (1912-1991) was an American writer. Blind at birth, he underwent a cataract operation which restored his sight.
From the words of American Christian author, James Dobson: “It is important to know that you have to work to keep love alive, you have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower.”
Encouraged to trust Father’s Word
Hope sown with Christ’s patient love
Precious seeds of kindness
Heaven harvests from above
Cultivated with Father’s grace
Eternal light never ends
Rejoice with Spirit’s peace
Fragile love strengthens to mend
Answered with Father’s faithfulness
Calvary pays debits of man
Love rises with new life
According to divine plan
Called by Father, who always cares
Love each delicate flower
Maintain, always protect
Backed up with mercy’s power
Commanded by Father above
Always love one another
Just as faith’s Savior loved
Every sister and brother
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds; fill it up with sunshine, kind words, and kind deeds.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22: “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was an American poet and educator. Born in Portland, Maine, he has long been remembered for being one of New England’s fireside poets.
Words used every day
Little or much to say
Used in positive ways
Conveying life’s essays
Mindful, powerful voices
Daily, humble choices
Impacting other lives
Celebrate with high fives
Disciplined purpose speaks
Positivity seeks
Sharing tender kindness
Truthful, without blindness
Careful to help and heal
Offering a square deal
Words paying it forward
True and straightforward
Thoughtful expressions said
Weaving with tender thread
Replace evil with good
Words plain and understood
Honest lyrics in song
Carried through all day long
Life unfolds from our text
Watchful where words go next
This poem was written several days before January 6, 2021. Its intention was to praise and encourage the positive power of words. The events taking place in Washington, DC on January 6 showed the negative power of words. How will our future words speak?
Originally published January, 2021.
Music is a bridge builder, connecting our stories.
In any given day, there are acts of courage and kindness that remind us of the goodness in the world.
Ellie Holcomb (born 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee.
A good education and a kind heart will serve you well throughout your entire life.
Keep your head up. Move forward. Keep going.
Alex Trebek (1940-2020) was a Canadian-born television personality and game show host. He hosted the game show “Jeopardy!” from from 1984-2020.
From Galatians 5:22-25: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
Seeing mankind standing along the road
Bearing heavy burdens, life’s overload
Stopping to say, travel the other way
Sharing some kindness, from our Lord today
Shining Jesus’ light, for all to follow
Hearing His Word, rich wisdom to swallow
Overlooking life’s narrow-minded walk
Sharing some kindness, truth becomes our rock
Lending helping hands, sisters and brothers
Showering daily grace, like none other
Forsaking life’s blindness, opening eyes
Sharing some kindness, never in disguise
Helping others who travel beside us
Inviting them, catching rides on God’s bus
Loving with patience, goodwill overflows
Sharing some kindness, warming hearts aglow
Recalling Christ’s call, handing out His love
Sharing His mercy, planted from above
Paying it forward, kindness shared each day
Harvesting endless treasures from God’s way
This poem is inspired by singer Glen Campbell’s classic tune, “Try a Little Kindness.” Here is one of his renditions of this remarkable song. Pay it forward, show the world some kindness.
Originally published December, 2020.
From Ephesians 4:31-32: “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
Faith filled with truth from Father
Anger rests with setting sun
Leaving quicksand’s bitterness
Forgiven through mercy’s Son
Eyes upon Calvary’s cross
Ultimate action of grace
Forgiven through Savior’s blood
His love takes sin’s former place
We, too, are called to forgive
Ourselves as well as others
Casting aside emotions
Now loving one another
Holding back words of darkness
Kindness leads each blessed day
Forgiving as Christ forgives
Holy Spirit leads faith’s way
Walking in shadow of grace
Forgiveness mends one more heart
Embracing love’s character
Trust in hope’s renewing start
From the words of American pastor and Christian author, Max Lucado: “Bitterness is the trap that snares the hunter.”
Fateful ember glows
Another shared memory—
Seeing tomorrow
Kindness extended
Grace added with every breath—
Character defined
Diploma in hand
Open road’s invitation—
Adventures ahead
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.
Mark Twain (1835-1910) was an American author and humorist. He has often been praised as one of America’s greatest humorists, and American writer William Faulkner called him “the father of American Literature.”
Big Sky Buckeye 