A positive comment or a kind action has the power to transform a bad moment into a good one and a despairing outlook into a hopeful one. Make it your philosophy to joyously, lovingly, confidently say yes more often. Think of the example of Jesus, who said:
Yes, I will be at your party. (John 2)
Yes, I will attend your mother-in-law at her sickbed. (Mark 1:31)
Yes, I will raise your son. (Luke 7:11-17)
Yes, I will come to your house. (Luke 19:1-10)
Yes, I want the children around. (Luke 18:15-17)
Compassion is love in action. Kindness in thought, word, and deed smooths out the rough places of life. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle. Live a life of kindness so that each day you make one human being a little happier, a little wiser, or a little better.
This message was adapted from “Smoothing a Path for Others” by Victor Parachin that appeared in the March 2003 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.