Welcome.

Someone who knows me, loves me in spite of all that is amiss in me, and focuses on my finer virtues anonymously blessed my life this morning.

I came home from an early morning at the temple and stopped at the end of our driveway to grab yesterday’s mail which we hadn’t yet picked up. Junk and then something definitely not categorized as junk. On the opposite end: a jewel.

Inside our mailbox lay a white envelope addressed to me but without a return address. Enclosed was the sweetest note (as follows):

“These kind phrases are for you. Thank you for your love and example to me and to others! Have a great day!”

Five strips of paper, each a different color, contained a message of kindness.

“I appreciate you.”

“You rock!”

You are beautiful.”

“Your smile is beautiful.”

“Life is better with you in it.”

I was totally surprised. And grateful. What an absolutely, out of the blue kindness someone performed for me.

I closed my eyes and asked Father in Heaven to please bless the somebody who blessed me.

I let my mind drift back to other times and different places where I was yet again the beneficiary of other acts of kindness.

I’ve written of this before, because the impact it had on me has never left me. Once while far away from family and home fulfilling a military assignment, I became the subject of a very unkind remark from my roommate, something she thought she observed about me but was, in fact, wrong, a judgement about me she had made that was erroneous – and incredibly hurtful. I was heartbroken, sad.

I worked nights at a hospital in the Labor and Delivery unit back then. I can’t remember how this family from my ward found out about my heart pain, but that very night, they showed up at my work. I remember being paged to the waiting area. I loved this family and had spent time with them at their home in friendship. They’d had me for dinner and had been exceptionally kind to me. And there they were when I needed someone most. I fell into the Aussie mother’s outstretched arms, and she held me as I sobbed. I don’t remember anything she said, but I do remember that she showed up. Her whole family showed up. I’m sure she led them there that night. I have never forgotten that kindness.

We live in a world that is unkind, and too often, I am less kind than I should be.

I’m so grateful for the example of others who are seeking, in word and deed, to follow the epitome of kindness, Jesus.

How much they bless my life. How grateful I am to them for reminding me how much kindness matters.

Unto all the world: Wanna join me in doing something kind for someone today?