“My wish for you is that you continue, continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.”
Maya Angelou
My Commentary:
Maya Angelou’s beautiful wish — “Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness” — sounds remarkably close to what the Gospel teaches us.
We do live in a world that can sometimes seem mean. Anger travels quickly. Cruel words are rewarded with attention. Social media can turn disagreement into contempt. Politics can turn neighbors into enemies. In such a world, kindness can almost seem revolutionary.
Jesus was revolutionary in exactly that way.
Jesus told us to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, and care for those whom others overlook. He even prayed for the people who crucified Him.
That kind of love astonishes the world.
Kindness does not mean weakness. Jesus was certainly not weak. He confronted injustice and hypocrisy courageously. But He refused to allow the hatred of others to determine the condition of His own heart. That is our challenge as Christians.
We cannot always control how others treat us. We cannot eliminate every cruel word, angry encounter, or act of selfishness. But we can decide what we will contribute to the world.
A smile.
A word of encouragement.
An unexpected act of generosity.
Forgiveness when revenge would be easier.
Standing beside someone who feels alone.
Perhaps we underestimate the power of these small choices. One act of kindness often creates another. Grace can be contagious.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others.”
Maybe that is what Maya Angelou was saying too.
When the world grows darker, don’t become part of the darkness.
Astonish it with light.
When the world becomes mean, don’t become meaner.
Astonish it with kindness.
And when people wonder why, tell them:
Because that is how Christ has treated me.
Recall how one act of kindness on YOUR part created another act of kindness.
For grace can be contagious.
STOP FOCUSING ON HOW STRESSED YOU ARE AND REMEMBER HOW BLESSED YOU ARE!!
