Keep smiling, be kind and put on some Jesus clothes

Faith Matters

Have you ever had some preconceived ideas become shattered? Have your expectations ever been pleasantly not met? I recently experienced this while traveling.

Last month, my wife and I visited Texas. Our first couple of days were at a short conference. We then used that opportunity to take a vacation. We were refreshed to meet so many people who were kind. The rental car business corrected an issue with smiles and escorted us personally to the vehicle. At our first meal, which was at a chain restaurant, we were assisted by quite possibly the most polite young man we had met in a good long time. My wife wanted to clone him to bring back as an example to others.

Hotel staff, business owners, sales people, all were so friendly, I personally began to wonder if it was a conspiracy. I had a set of preconceived expectations that since everything was ‘bigger’ in Texas, that egos would be also. How wrong I was. In many places and circumstances in our current culture, people are mad and on the attack. What a delight we experienced; to just be treated with overflowing kindness.

I began to reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul who was aboard a ship on prisoners who crashed into the island of Malta. As we can read in Acts 28:2, “The islanders showed us unusual kindness” (NIV). That reception was not what would be expected. 

We did not know what to expect but what we did experience was much better than our expectations. So, I asked myself, “What is my attitude towards welcoming people that I don’t know?” I could keep my distance. I could just push on living each day, minding my own business. Or … I could take to heart and put into action these truths of the Bible.

Colossians 3:12, “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (NIV). I thank God for the people of Texas and their influence for a positive change of heart and mind on my behalf. Keep smiling. Be kind. Put on some Jesus clothes.