Wishes of Kindness

Daily Gratitude Year Four-Day 341: Today, I am grateful for wishes of kindness and courage. 

"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness." - Maya Angelou 

It is a season of wishes. What do we wish for?
This quote is beautiful for the wishes it holds. 

...that you may continue.
...to be who you are.
... to astonish a mean world.
... to astonish the world with acts of kindness.

Good morning, Earworm. Earworm is singing the sounds of the 80's. Petra's "We are strangers. We are aliens. We are not of this world." 

Called to be different. Called to act differently. Set apart for a purpose with heavenly ramifications. Only love can save a broken world. Love came as a baby and was willingly crucified, that we might know the breadth and the depth of God's love. We are called to be otherworldly. Some call it crazy. It is. Crazy love.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God," -Ephesians 2:19

Good thoughts but sometimes... I just want mean people to get what is coming to them! It feels like justice. Sometimes, it is. But it is my heart I must lay before the Lord. Is my heart a bitter offering? Is my heart a servant's heart...  willing to be obedient to a sovereign God... even when his mercy and grace trump what I believe to be a consequence for bad behavior.

We are called to astonish a mean world with acts of kindness. 

Human nature argues and craves controversy. We do not always agree - but how we handle disagreements is evidence of the one we serve. There is a time to disagree and seek truth, but there is a way. Prayer. Fasting (I do not practice as I should). Scripture searching. More prayer.  

" he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain"-  Timothy 6:4-6

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."  This is not second nature to humans - until there is an up close and very personal encounter with the living, mighty, holy and loving God of the universe - who came to be with us. 

Christmas changed things. It didn't change God, because He does not change. It did change things for humans. A holy, present and precious Savior was born. His humble arrival caused confusion for those expecting him to make a grander entrance. 

Actually, I think His arrival was grand... and pretty amazing. Shepherds, angels and guiding stars are pretty impressive. The innkeeper showed kindness. The shepherds showed kindness and courage as they acknowledged the birth and shared the good news. The wise men showed courage in ignoring the king's order to return with the location of the baby. 

It is a season of wonder and joy. 

Today, I am grateful for wishes of kindness and courage.