Be Kind
Table Talk
Setting the Table
When a table is prepared, it becomes a welcoming space offering nourishment and fulfillment. As you gather at this welcome table, come as you are, take a breath, and may your soul be refreshed here.
Take a moment and truly try to imagine what the world might be like if everyone loved the way God has called us to love. What might change?
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
- Maya Angelou
John 13:35
Everyone will know you as my followers if you demonstrate your love to others.
Food for Thought
For the majority of my teenage and young adult life, I lived in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. My country, Liberia, was in the middle of a devastating civil war that disrupted and destroyed so many lives. During those years, my survival and the survival of my family members depended on the kindness of others, many of whom were complete strangers.
My life experience throughout those times has greatly influenced how I choose to see and be in the world. I have chosen to be passionate about showing kindness to others. This dedication to kindness is not a reward-seeking or self-glorifying attempt at proving that I am righteous. Instead, I choose to show kindness to others because it is the right thing to do ― and because, at a time when I needed it most, others showed kindness to me.
My absolute favorite bible verse is John 13:35, when Jesus tells his disciples that people will know you follow me because you show love to one another. This text, for me, is the foundation on which my faith is built. What use is my theology degree, or my mastery of scripture, or eloquence in prayer if at the heart of my existence there is no love for others? How can I call myself a follower of Jesus while at the same time spewing hate at the very people I am called to love? Jesus did not categorize to whom the disciples were to show love. The command was simply this ― love one another.
Today it seems so many of us have put loyalty to a particular ideology over being kind to one another. All the atrocities we see happening around us can be traced back to people not showing love to one another. When our ability to welcome and affirm others is tied to political ideology, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, or economic status, it becomes easier to justify hatred.
I survived the war in Liberia not because my life is of more value than those who did not. I survived because I was fortunate to come across people who cared for others and loved deeply. Now, I want to be one of those people in the world. I want to love my neighbor as I want to be loved. I want to treat the stranger as I want to be treated. I want to say to those I disagree with that, even in our disagreement, I see and value their humanity. By living this way, I let the world know that I am a follower of Jesus.
Pause for a moment. Think about a time you experienced kindness, a time when someone showed you love in words or deeds. Remember how it made you feel.
Go this week and be kind. Go and think about ways you can act with love wherever you find yourself. Go, because your acts of love may just save a life.
Our hope is that this Table Talk series inspires you to take small steps toward inviting others into deeper community with you. This printable version of today's reflection, “Be Kind”, is for you to use in whatever way is helpful for you in your journey!
Blessing
God who loves us beyond measure,
thank you for loving us.
Thank you for loving me.
As we experience your love,
may our lives bear witness as we show love to others.
In the name of Jesus who demonstrated your love to us. Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Talk about a time you experienced kindness or showed kindness to someone else. How did that make you feel?
What are things that may keep us from being kind to one another? How can we keep being kind in spite of those things?
Think about ways you can be intentional about showing more kindness to others. Here are a few meaningful ways to make it happen.
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Talk to your kids about how they can show kindness, not only to their friends but to strangers they may meet as well.
Help them choose one or two people to whom they can show kindness this week.
Be their accountability buddy! Sit down with them and talk about how performing an act of kindness made them feel ― was it scary, fun, heartwarming?
Meet our Welcoming Voice!
James Blay is the former Vice President of Administration at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Coordinator for Children’s Programs with Passport Camps. James and his wife, Allison, enjoy spending their evenings chasing after their sweet pup, Benny!
To hear more from James throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!