The Untold Stories all Around Us
I had this moment with a cashier the other night. I had arrived at the till with my goods and she was just so distracted and not at all friendly. This is usually an irritation for me, bad service that is, but for some reason in this moment I felt the need to be a little extra friendly. I sympathised with her about having to work nightshift and she proceeded to tell me that she had just come back from a weeks leave after burying her child. I was totally gobsmacked that I had initially judged her for not being friendly enough.
We continued conversation and she proceeded to tell me that her child of just 10 years old had cancer and after years of the battle he did not make it. We spoke for a little while and I gave her some kind words of encouragement and said I would keep her in my prayers, which I did. Before I left, she smiled at me and said thank you.
I left feeling distraught. I couldn’t stop thinking about the moment. No amount of time off can be enough when you are grieving the loss of your young child, and she was clearly not ready to be back at work. I guess in her circumstances she really needed the income, so she had to be there even if she didn’t feel ready yet.
What I learnt is that when we choose kindness over other feelings of irritation, anger, judgement, it really goes a long way. We, as humans, are so quick to judge, but yet we don’t know that person’s story. We don’t know what morning they have had or what struggles they have going on in their lives. We make assumptions and give labels far too quickly.
This really got me thinking about other incidents in my life where I have been too quick to judge someone and even moments when I have been judged.
A little bit of kindness really goes a long way. When I looked back on the conversation I had with this cashier, I noticed that when I had walked in she was grumpy but when I left she smiled at me. Perhaps that little conversation had made her day.
When Jesus travelled teaching multitudes of people, He was moved by compassion for them, and He healed them. His heart is one of kindness, He chose kindness over other reactions. I guess He already knew the impact it would have. Kindness can change a day, turn sadness into a moment of happiness, plant a seed, heal someone or even change a life.
When we don’t choose it, we could be fuelling the fire of grief, depression, stress and ultimately be adding reason for someone losing all hope. It is so important that we rid ourselves of our selfish ways and consider others. When we meet people along our journey through life, whether it be a cashier, a homeless person, an acquaintance, whoever it may be, be present in the moment and choose kindness.
I like to think that when Jesus met someone along His journey who was perhaps a bit rude or off, He was lead by His heart in dealing with them and His kindness branched from a place of compassion and forgiveness.
Everyone is fighting a battle we don’t know about, everyone reacts differently to their battles. Some are able to be happy and keep up with the rest of life through it and others find that slightly more difficult.
In God’s word it says, we should not be so quick to judge, in the same way we judge so we will also be judged.
Matthew 7:1-2
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
God’s word also says that we are to love one another as God has loved us.
John 13: 34
“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
We are also advised in God’s word to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, forgiving one another and living in unity with each other.
Colossians 3:12-15 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Kindness is not only a biblical principle, the effects of showing kindness will bring hope into a broken world. If we want to show kindness we need to have an attitude of compassion and love for others, forgiving those who struggle to function during their battles and choose kindness as a way of dealing with everyone we come across. Jesus has showed us His loving kindness and we are called to continue that work here on earth because of the very fact that He was kind enough to lay down His life for us.
My encouragement to you is that as we go about our daily lives and meet people along the way, be mindful of the many stories there are around us that we know nothing about. Be sure to wear compassion, forgiveness, love and kindness everyday so you’re better equipped to handle the untold stories in people you meet.
I pray we can perfect this together! I’d love to hear from you.
Much love,
Di
I’ve made the mistake of allowing my aggravation to take over. Or, place a judgment before knowing the entirety of the situation. These are humbling learning experiences. Good post! And thank you for listening and understanding before you made a mistake!
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it. This was such a lesson for me, reminded me to always be aware of the untold stories around me. I haven’t always had that response, especially when I’m acting up on my own story. I’m trying my very best to put this into everyday practice. God bless!
Me too. I’m getting very mouthy and impatient in my old age…
Haha yes! I’m nearly 40 and it seems it gets a bit worse as you get older..haha. We can certainly pray for each other through this.
I turn 40 in a couple months 😫
Please pray for me! Lol!
Oh and I’m re-blogging this
Reblogged this on Revolutionary Musings and commented:
What a beautiful and touching post. Reblogged
This is absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much! I am so glad you were moved by this post!
I was moved; very much so. I’m hoping your blog will be successful
I love this! I recently had an issue with a person who had stood me up several times and they had told me they had health issues. Being annoyed at the 3rd time this person stood me up; I messaged them and was annoyed and I came across as unkind. This person said I had no idea what she was going through and I was being selfish ( drama is how she put it( and never talk to her again. I was taken aback and really hurt. Even though I no long want to talk to this person; I could have handled it better. I didn’t have to come across as angry as I did. I wish I had been kinder about it because I know that is what God would want me to do. This was another beautiful post and it really touched my heart; thank you
It’s not an easy thing to perfect as we are all human and have our own untold stories, but as long as we’re trying that’s good enough. I am so sorry to hear about the situation with your friend. God is a God of restoration though, in His timing relationships can be restored. I pray this for you. Thank you for reading and for the reblog, it’s a first reblog for me and I feel so honoured. God bless my friend, I look forward to following more of your journey.
I was glad to reblog it; I like to help out fellow bloggers and get them some traffic. Well I talked a few friends about this person and they also agreed that something wasn’t right. Thank God it didn’t work out. I pray I find some friends that live close by that I can connect with
I nominated you for the 3.2.1. Quote Me Challenge!
Thank you, keep an eye out.
https://godfidencediary.wordpress.com/2018/11/19/3-2-1-quote-me-challenge/
Thanks for the nomination! 🙂
You’re very welcome!
This made me cry. I am happy to read that you did the right thing by taking time to find the why and connecting with this grieving mom. Her reaction to your attention was God’s reward to you.
Judging is so easily done. The time it takes to discover the why is the harder part but that is the route God wants us to take. After reading this I look back on times when I could’ve handled myself differently and I also vow to be obedient of this going forward. I am better at this now than I once was but I am human and appreciate your needed reminder.
I have been meaning to ask you… what Bible do you use? I have a KJV but I am interested in getting a study Bible. Any suggestions on a brand/kind? I think you are the person to ask… 🤗🙏
I have a quite a few , I like to read different translations, you learn so much more about a verse that way. I personally enjoy the Spirit Filled Life NKJV / NIV / NLT. My next goal I’m after though is to get the NLT Illustrated Bible because I am busy with Bible College.
https://m.takealot.com/#!product?id=PLID39798851
Thank you very much Diane. 🤗🙏
I’m so glad you enjoyed this read hun.