Kindness

Each culture has a slightly different version of kindness.  The tone of one's voice may not be kind in one culture while in another it means absolutely nothing – good or bad.  One's choice of colors has very different meanings as does the style of dress, manners, and even smell.  Kindness comes in many different forms, shapes, and sizes.  Ironically, in this diversity, there is a thread I find utterly lacking in truth.  The falsehood is this; kindness is not the same as being liked or getting along.  They may travel together on occasion, but they are not linked.
The reality of this played out in the exchange between a young toddler and mother in a public mall.  Children of this age either love or hate their parents.  They are either comfortable or frightened.  There is rarely anything in between.  The wonder in it all is how often love dominates. 
Even as one could tell that the mother was doing what was best for the toddler, it was very clear that the toddler has a different perspective.  The exchange was just pre-explosive tantrum.  Everything was intense, loud, and volatile!  The kid was angry!  The kid was expressively spiralling out of control.  Everything screamed anger, frustration, and a stubborn denial of any other view other than his own. 
I found myself laughing within as I saw far too much of myself reacting to God's engagement in my life.  My actions say what I deny.  I want to eat ice cream and lose weight.  I want to indulge and live for the community.  I want kindness without truth. 
An old man made the following observation.  “You make God tired with all your talk.  'How do we tire him out?' you ask.  By saying, 'God loves sinners and sin alike.  God loves all.'  And also by saying, 'Judgment?  God's too nice to judge.'”  (Malachi 2.17)
Thank God for truth filled kindness.  At times, I may not like it but I always know it is for my best.  I want more than my limited vision.  God agrees with me on this.