People don’t get along as well as they used to. In the past you could chalk up that sort of observation to the speaker being of the senior variety, and simply complaining about how things are not like the mythical “good old days.”
But today it appears to be a universally acknowledged tragedy. The social fabric previous generations took for granted – national tapestries that were once knit together with such care to promote beauty and harmony – have frayed and torn.
And I don’t perceive this dreadful condition as limited to the United States. Nor do I believe that it’s simply limited to the realm of politics . . . although it is most certainly manifest in that contentious realm.
Sadly, there is a shortage of truly kind people. Benjamin Franklin hinted at this when he penned, “he that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.” Essentially, kind people are the ones who act kindly. Rings true, doesn’t it?
It’s not only in politics where kindness is in a shortage. C.S. Lewis described the dilemma in “The Decline of Religion”
The decline of “religion” is no doubt a bad thing for the “World.” By it all the things that made England a fairly happy country are, I suppose, endangered: the comparative purity of her public life, the comparative humanity of her police, and the possibility of some mutual respect and kindness between political opponents.
But I am not clear that it makes conversions to Christianity rarer or more difficult: rather the reverse. It makes the choice more unescapable. When the Round Table is broken every man must follow either Galahad or Mordred: middle things are gone.
The increasing rarity of kindness doesn’t mark its demise. It will never become extinct while a single soul is kind. As the Greek storyteller Aesop declared twenty-five centuries ago, “no act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”
A Hopeful Note
Kindness may be hard-pressed in our current day, but the battle isn’t lost.
The grinch graphic above is the creation of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their worthwhile goal is to encourage and support lives of kindness. One of their resources, “The Science of Kindness,” describes their uplifting purpose.
And, if you want to experience and emanate not only kindness, the best place to look is to our Creator. Knowing God and trusting the atoning work of Jesus fills us with the very Holy Spirit of our Lord.
As C.S. Lewis discovered when he ceased running away from God while pursuing the empty promises of atheism, the Lord’s desire for humanity is purely good. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .” (Galatians 5).
Mere Inkling Press 
Thank you for the a great reminder that it matters… As a teacher, I see first hand how “mean” our culture has become. And it’s not just the students. Parents and even other teachers have found it OK to be mean for a number of reasons. It’s hard to stay true to kindness and love as we move through the routine of everyday… But it matters…
Please do remain true, brother. Schools, as you share, are especially in need of kindness.
And when you consider how many of the children there don’t have a home that serves as a genuine refuge, it’s all the more important they have compassionate teachers like you.
The change in family dynamics is causing devastating damage that is creating a heavy life for too many people. Characteristics, like joy, traditions, history, and others are lost or only superficial parts of people’s lives…
Pretty concise analysis of the heart of the problem, Jamey. We have failed to pass those traits on to succeeding generations. And the clearest sign of the combined result may be their loss of hope.
“Or do you have contempt for the riches of God’s generosity, tolerance, and patience? Don’t your realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life?” (Rom. 2:5/CEB) Thanks Rob for your input into our lives.
Even though we remain far from perfect, God’s kindness is transformative.
Whenever someone criticizes me for my failings, e.g. by not being forgiving enough, I’ve always been tempted to say “you should see what I would be like without Jesus!”
Thanks for this – kindness speaks volumes…(links somewhere to my own latest post)
Glad you enjoyed the post, Ken. I see what you mean about it relating to your post, “Proper Hearing.” You are right on target identifying the decay as “diabolical.”
“When the Round Table is broken every man must follow either Galahad or Mordred: middle things are gone.” That’s a wonderful line.
And so very true.
Yes! Wish I’d read this before I voted today, Rob. I’d have voted for Galahad.
Sure would have been nice if Galahad had been a nominee!
Rob, Yes, we are lacking basic human kindness. The Lord is so lacking in our society but He is still impacting His people’s lives. Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
As imperfect as even redeemed people are… it is a terrible thing to imagine what this world would be like if God had left humanity to its own devices.
Amen.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
There is something strange about kindness which people seem to not grasp, the bulk of us. I is that kindness as an activity is powerfully self-healing. We tend to think upon kindness in terms of the external aspect of it — the levels we are generally experiencing it from others in daily life. But the interior aspect is golden. It costs little to observe opportunities to expresss kindness and yet by doing so and acting upon it, a kind of magical balm accumulates which washes over our lives and souls. And of course, spreads outwards. He for whom kindness has become habitual and second nature is a miniature sun.
A very poetically expressed truth. Thank you.
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