What Ever Happened To Kindness?

Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I may just be getting old and my memory is becoming a little foggy.  That can tend to happen as we age.  Our recollection of the past can seem a little rosier than it actually was.  That being said, it seems to me that kindness was more evident among members of the community, not just in church.

I will say that after moving to West Virginia a couple of years ago, I have been impressed with the general cordiality exhibited pretty much everywhere I go. People actually remember how to speak pleasantly and say please and thank you.  They hold doors open for one another and are usually rather courteous.

However, something seems to happen when folks get onto their devices or gain access to the airways.  It is almost like the anonymity of not being face to face is perceived as a license to vent a wealth of pent up hostility.  Those who exhibit this tendency would do themselves and everybody else a huge favor if they envisioned a classroom of sweet children listening to or reading their comments.

I don’t understand why so many are so angry.  We live in a nation that is unfathomably blessed.  Perhaps we need to take a little time each day to count our personal blessings, acknowledge that we are not perfect and stop demanding that everyone affirm our opinions.   Apparently, we have forgotten that one way to maintain positive relationships is simply to agree to disagree and still remain friendly and kind.

I may think that someone’s opinion or belief is absolutely bizarre, but I don’t feel compelled to harass them until they recognize and admit it and declare me a genius for pointing it out and delivering them from their evil pathway.  I am totally open to respectful discussion of opposing points of view.  Unfortunately, many of us are so anchored in our opinions that we are not willing to consider alternative ways of thinking.  So, perhaps we should  try to  keep in mind the admonition of Decimus Junius Juvenalis:  "Opinions are like nails: the stronger you hit them, the deeper inside they go."  Let's just keep those nails lubricated with a little love and kindness.  Perhaps they will work their way out on their own.