I love to do things that surprise and bless others and I have, many times, given rides to strangers or bought them lunch and even, a thousand miles from home, paid for someone else’s meal in the drive-through lane.

Yet, I was blown away and collapsed in tears when one morning I stopped for a cup of coffee (a rare occurrence) and when I got to the register was told that someone had already paid for me.  I was dumbfounded, overwhelmed and completely undone.  Kindness in any form, even on the television, always makes me tear up.  Life has been very hard on me and I have had to harden myself in order to cope.  So things that are horrible have less of an emotional impact upon me than kindness does, because my life has been bereft of kindness.  Abuse I understand.  Terror I understand.  Manipulation I understand.  Neglect I understand.  Emotional absence I understand.  But kindness?  Love?  Gentleness?  

Those tears that fell that day were cleansing and uplifting.  At a very alone moment in my life, Jesus showed up in the form of a stranger in the checkout lane.  His kindness drove me to my knees and I wept and thanked Him.

There is a Scripture verse:  Psalm 18:35  “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”

Gentleness moves mountains.  Gentleness melts hearts.  Gentleness turns anger into meekness.  Gentleness brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”  I have seen this in action, when angry and frustrated people are met with gentleness and kindness, their entire demeanor changes and they are instantly calm.

Be gentle.  Be kind.  Be sweet.  And watch God move mountains for you!