“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
–Mother Teresa
Ah, yes. The echoes of kindness are truly endless, because I believe, they originate in the heart of our Never Changing God.
I have been pondering of late some of the extraordinary kind people God has generously brought into my life.
They truly have been lighthouse people for me.
The reason is simple: Kindness has its roots in eternity.
And, yes, I have experienced this first hand.
Age and ageless kindness
Perhaps it is because I am approaching my 72nd year. As you age, I think you tend to look back on your life to evaluate. You ask yourself questions like, “What things made the lasting difference?” And, “What things were a waste; a drain on spirit and strength?”
For me? Kindness, from gentle and generous hearts, rises to the top of the list like its close friends, hope and genuine love.
I say genuine, because I have become very familiar with the counterfeit sort of love many folks peddle as the real stuff.
And this I have learned, counterfeits have no staying power; they evaporate in the heat of sorrow and suffering.
Ageless memories
Those lighthouse-people are the ones who have become ageless in my memories.
My Second Grade and Fourth Grade teachers, Mrs. Staritt and Mrs. Sleep.
I still clearly see, their smiling faces, and remember with fondness their kindness and gentleness toward me as a small and timid child.
I also remember the key people God brought into my life at critical junctures.
People whose kindness and caring changed my world. Their names are forever etched on my history.
Beverly, Ned and Mary Ellen, Karen and Charlie.
The generosity and kindness of each still beams, His Light from above, into what were some of the most difficult days of my life.
Gifts from a Never Changing God
These wonderful people carried Light and hope, and they spread their light wherever they went.
They were safe harbors; refuge people.
Not perfect, but; Genuine. Generous. Full of Light.
They were timeless gifts from my kind and generous God.
In my recent moving and unpacking I rediscovered a little book that has made a huge impact on my journey.
I quote it here.
God is like a lighthouse on the hill, never changing, always there. But the light of His love is always moving, searching the waters, reaching out to those who are distressed and need to find refuge in the harbor.
W. Terry whalin, lighthouse psalms
Unchanging Word
Mr. Whalin also shares God’s unchanging Word in his book and we know that He is our ultimate source of strength in any storm:
- God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
- In my distress, I said, “God cannot see me!” But you heard my prayer when I cried out to you for help.” Psalm 31:22
- I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. Psalm 118:5
- Be thou to me a rock of habitation, to which I may continually come; Thou has given commandment to save me, For Thou art my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3
Making a difference
I know after living these many years that God’s Word makes all the difference in the storms of life.
So, too, do lighthouse-people!
Let us all strive to bring God’s Light to every life we come across.
You may never know what a huge impact that kindness may make for that person.
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Mother teresa
“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Women With Destiny 