I was running a few errands in
my car the other day. The sun was out, the radio was playing, and I was singing
along. The song was a joyful one and even my weak voice sounded good singing it.
Then it happened, however. The sweet sound of the music ended and was replaced
with the dreaded news break. I drove on while the announcer droned on. Gas
prices were going higher again because of the competitive speculation on Wall
Street. The race for the Presidency was getting nastier and nastier, Rioting had
broken out when fans of a sports team had gone wild, celebrating their team’s
championship.
Finally, I could take no more and turned off the
radio. Silence seemed preferable to listening to anything else about the crazy,
competitive society we live in. I slowed down as I entered a local town and
watched the people as I drove by. A tall muscular man was helping an elderly
lady out of a car and helping her position her walker so she could go into a
local store. A smiling woman was tossing birdseed into her backyard while a
dozen Robins flew down to enjoy the feast being laid out before them. A young
man was walking along, carrying his two year old daughter safely in his arms. He
tickled her gently when she pulled the hat off his head and they both laughed. I
laughed too as I looked at all of this kindness. It felt like a glimpse of
Heaven.
The radio may have been off in my car, but in my heart
I was still singing.
In truth, this world could use a little more kindness
and a lot less competition. Kindness makes us all winners in this life. Kindness
reminds us that we are all God’s Children. Kindness shows us that we don’t have
to beat others in this world. We just have to love them. May all of your moments
here then be full of kindness, love, and joy. And may your only competition be
with yourself: to be the best possible you that you can be.
Joseph J. Mazzella joemazzella@frontier.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.