26 Weeks Letter Challenge: K

Week eleven of the 26 Weeks Letter Challenge, where I'll post photographs of things that begin with that week's letter. Feel free to play along in the comments or on your own blog. It's a great way to use some of those pictures taking up space in your computer.

K is for:

Kids: Tyler, Ashley, and Jessica

Kitty

Kobi, our super cute dog.

Kindness. Probably one of the most important things on earth.

Happy Monday!

Linda

A Bit of Our Heart

I know the above piece of advice is true. It's even true when I observe someone else giving a bit of their heart instead of a piece of their mind. I saw this principle in action at our local dollar store a while back.

An elderly woman was at the front of the line. She was slow of movement and slow of mind. She didn't hear well, so the exchange between her and the cashier was loud enough for everyone to hear.
When told the total amount due, she fished around in her purse for her wallet. Finally producing it, she slowly counted out every coin, then got confused and asked, "How much was it?" The kind worker told her again and helped her count her money.

The lady in line behind the old woman started sighing and tapping her foot. She wasn't seeing the beauty in this. Maybe she had someplace she was late to. Or she had to do her shopping after a long, tiring day. But it was evident her patience was wearing thin.

Finally, the woman in the front finished her transaction and the cashier smiled and wished her a good day. She thanked the next lady in line for her patience and rung her items up quickly, generously gifting her with a warm smile as well. The woman hustled off to her car with her goods.

It was my turn. I thanked the checker for being so kind to the older customer.

She smiled and shook her head. "I just try to remember that someday that will be me. How will I want to be treated?"

I agreed. "And I bet it will come faster than any of us think."

That cashier could have been impatient with the older woman. Or she could have given the next customer a piece of her mind for her impatience toward the elderly. Instead, she gave them both a piece of her heart.

It's all in the way we look at the world around us. What can we do to make our little corner of the world a nicer place? Be generous with your heart. A smile, a kind deed, a bit of understanding goes a long way to brightening not only your own heart, but the hearts of others.

Now that's timeless on this Timeless Tuesday.

Linda

Gentle Treatment

It's easy to judge without thinking about people's back-story. In our instant gratification society, we want things to be taken care of now, problems to be solved yesterday, people to change their ways pronto. We sigh in frustration at the child screaming in the store instead of thinking about the issues behind the cries. Is the child tired, the mother frazzled, the finances tight, the husband abusive? We don't know. But if we did, we might offer a hand of help, a smile of encouragement, a heart of love, patience, tolerance, and care. Treat each other gently, friends. Isn't that what we all want and deserve?

Have a good, thoughtful Thursday.

Linda

Kindness and Confetti

Happy Timeless Tuesday, where we celebrate all things that never go out of style. Like kindness. Especially when it's tossed freely, joyfully, and generously like confetti. And speaking of confetti, does it ever get outdated? I think not. So here's to kindness and confetti. Spread them as far as you can today.

Linda

When Your Child is Hurt by Someone's Words

I remember my children crying from time to time because another child said something either to them or about them that hurt their feelings. Maybe it was simple name calling, or some accusation that was made. It's one of the things that pulls a mama's heartstrings the most. How do you handle your child's crisis?

I used one simple question to get to the heart of the matter. I'd hold them close as they told me what happened and what had been said. Then, wiping away their tears, I'd ask, "Is it true?" Usually the answer was no, so I'd tell them, "Then it doesn't matter what they said. You and I know it isn't true. God knows it isn't true. Now you just have to live in a way that proves it."

Occasionally, in answer to my question, they'd say yes, what they'd been hurt by was true. Or maybe it was partly true or a misunderstanding. This is a great teaching moment. An apology may be in order, or a change in the way they treat someone. Whatever the situation calls for, assure your child that everyone makes mistakes. Then help him figure out what is the right thing to do. Encourage him to do it and perhaps even offer to go with them for moral support.

Lastly, I'd remind my child that the person who hurt him needs his prayers. Jesus said to "pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). Maybe the other child is hurting in some way himself. It's hard to stay mad at someone you're praying for. It helps in the forgiveness process. My kids had answers to prayer that were nothing short of miraculous when we prayed for children who hurt their feelings.

Teaching your child to respond with kindness and prayer, rather than retaliation, goes a long way in helping him get along with difficult people. It doesn't mean he has to put up with ill treatment, but it teaches him forbearance and self control, which will serve him well as he grows into adulthood.

How do you handle your child's hurt feelings? 

Linda