Many of you have heard of and probably have read some of Frederick Buechner’s writings –  a renowned writer and reluctant pastor.

As I was thinking about November and the seemingly endless appointments, what is the one quality that we all need and that all are capable of exhibiting? The answer is kindness, and I remembered the quote below.

WHEN HENRY JAMES, of all people, was saying goodbye once to his young nephew Billy, his brother William’s son, he said something that the boy never forgot. And of all the labyrinthine and impenetrably subtle things that that most labyrinthine and impenetrable old romancer could have said, what he did say was this: “There are three things that are important in human life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.”  

-Originally published in The Clown in the Belfry

This simple truth is what the world needs so badly today. I write this on Election Day, November 4, 2025. As the polls close and night comes, there will be an abundance of anxiety that will manifest itself. This is what happens when people do not trust one another. This is what happens when people lash out at others, simply because they do not share your opinion. Just as God created untold numbers of people, all of who are unique and beautiful in God’s sight, we need to take a moment to attempt to discover them. We may not agree with them, but we certainly have the capacity to be kind to them.

Think about being kind when you are out and about doing your week work. Think about being kind when you share table fellowship with family and friends. Think about being kind even when you might be tired and cranky, even when you do not feel like being kind. 

Our Lord states it this way in Luke 6:31:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you”

Treat others with kindness and the chances are they will return that kindness to you. After all, if our Savior could exhibit kindness to others even after all of the insults that were hurled at him, so can we. 

Happy Harvest Season and have a wonderful month sharing with family and friends!

 

Grace and Peace:

Pastor Steve