The Problem with Kindaness

It appears there is an epidemic sweeping our society called, kindaness. Kindaness: I kinda want to be nice. I kinda don't. I knida don't care. I kinda care. I kinda want to help. I kinda don't. I kinda see your point. I kinda don't. Perhaps you only kinda get my point. You see what I mean. The uncertainity has left all of us rambling, confused, and somewhat insecure.

Kindaness came to my mind today as I was at the United Dairy Farmer right down the road from my home. I entered the store and noticed as I entered the door a gentleman no more than 10 years older than myself was just a few strides behind me. I decided that I would hold the door for him. A simple gesture of kindness... a forgotten common courtesy if you ask me (But of course you did not and why would you). As he rushed for the door because he noticed I held it for him, our eyes met and I saw it... Kindaness. You could see the wheels turning... I'm kinda glad you held the door. I kinda wonder if you have an alterior motive. I kinda think you might just have wanted to be nice. I'm kinda not sure. You could say he felt kinda confused. I don't blame him.

I kinda wondered the same. I kinda thought I might not hold the door before I walked in. I kinda felt what's the point. But as I processed that interaction, I realized people in general kinda have a problem with kindness. I am not sure if its due to fear, uncertainity, or just plain laziness. We act as if kindness is kinda difficult, maybe even kind of wrong. Kindaness is the in between place we find ourselves. We kinda want to be kind, we kinda don't. We also find it exceptionally difficult to put into practice Jesus' kinda odd words in Luke 6:27-3:

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. (NLT)

Show kindness, do good, give away. What in the world? That kinda makes me sick to think about. Those words kinda fly against everything my society has led me to believe. However, more and more attention is given to the topic of kindness. If you paid any attention to commercials right before and after the election... the main message presented: help, do good, show kindness. Be the changing agent yourself. Act.

It strikes me kinda funny that there really is a problem with kindaness. My suggestion for a cure: You need to just kinda get over it and be kind. Take two and call me in the morning. By the way, undone ones suffer from this sickness as much as anyone. But as we are made aware... we realize just how undone we truly are. No friends, we are not kinda done. We are still completely undone. Enjoy the journey, it's kinda fun.

Conversations

Conversations happen all the time. I would not be surprised if they fill every second of the day, everyday. Conversations can be short and sweet, long and drawn out, distasteful, one-sided, encouraging, full and meaningful, uncomfortable, or just plain and simple.
Conversations range from person to person, situation to situation, topic to topic.

My attention turned to conversations this evening as I sat in Taco Bell eating a delightful Spicy Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme with Fire sauce. I sat alone in the middle of the eating establishment and listened. Conversations ensued all around me. The creative wheels started spinning. Now, I confess I heard only enough of each conversation to know I did not know enough of the context to assume anything. However, all of sudden I came to a profound realization. Conversations cease to exist without listening. It doesn't matter if no words are spoken, conversation does not happen in the absence of ears. To put it another way, two hydrogen molecules do not make water until combined with oxygen. Ideas, feelings, thoughts, words find no meaning or releavance without an attentive ear. Interestingly enough in our created state we have two ears and one mouth. I'm just saying that's all.

I realized today, there are many people who just do not listen. Perhaps they have a hard time doing so, or maybe unfortunately they just don't care to participate. Listening requires work. It is a labor intensive process. It takes time. Effort must be put forth. Listening may also mean hearing something you don't want to hear, a constant fear, especially when we are honest with ourselves enough to admit what is being said is TRUTH. The truth hurts. Truth attacks pride, our prized possession. Because in moments when we find ourselves not wanting to listen, we know all we have is our pride and we cling to it hard and fast.

Imagine, if you will, if the creation had had the foresight to know what come of it after it was brought into being by the Word (Genesis 1, John 1). Do you think it would have listened and obeyed? Or just slummbered away in the void and darkness? Sure, thats ridiculous right. Creation listened. Then I wonder why its so hard for us to listen to the Word? Is our pride that worth it? Or are we afraid the truth will hurt too much? Stick and stones may break my bones, but the Word can and will heal you. It can and will transform you. It can and will renew you. The truth can and will give you something new and worthy to cling to. But you have to hear it!! Listen.

Reflection on Wall-e

I recently watched the recent Pixar movie, Wall-e. I know I am way behind in my movie watching. I confess up front that I am a sucker when it comes to Pixar films. My imterest with Pixar could be linked to my fascination with Steve Jobs (owns a large share of Pixar and runs Apple), or my creative side tingles when watching great animation and storytelling, or it could simply be I refuse to fully surrender being a kid. Who knows the real reason.

The movie begins with little to no dialogue. But the creative genius used in the film keeps you from even noticing. I found myself completely wrapped up in this little robot who for some odd reason collected odds and ends of garabage. From his robotic perspective the garabage produced an endless realm of treasures.

I can't help but believe Yahweh feels the same about us. Not that creation is garabage, but we've certainly help make it that way. But yet our creator who limited himself to come and clean it up finds earth as a place where his treasures are found. Not just things but beings that fascinate him much like Wall-e's treasures.

The other thing that really got me... Wall-e's desire for relationship. All he wanted (as much as a robot is able to want, go figure) was a touch, a relationship. Wall-e constantly watched a video segment from Hello Dolly, where the couple hold hands. This became his passion, his one desire, his sole purpose. All of sudden, out of no where another robot enters the scene. Just the potential of relationship sent Wall-e into a frenzy. He was as you say, beside himself.

I continued to be amazed when I saw what lengths Wall-e went to to sustain the relationship. You really have to have seen the movie here to understand. Wall-e takes seriously the concept of going the extra mile. The moment Wall-e gets what he wanted an eruption of emotion took place. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Pixar creatively demonstrated pure joy without a single word. Rocked my world for sure.

Now of course the movie points out other issues like responsibility, laziness, and the advancement of technology. Nonetheless, I attached to the underlying stuff as I often do.

If you haven't seen the movie, do so. If you have seen it watch it again or just share your comments. Perhaps one day we will plant pizza plants. Laugh, but I'm serious.

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