words to remember: kindness

This past Sunday, I was the recipient of some kind words.

Kind words that took the person less than one minute to communicate. They were simple. Shared by someone we hardly knew in the moments just after our church meeting.

But they were so meaningful. They felt like light. They were a reminder of how much I am loved. Of how much we are all loved.

Those kind words brought peaceful tears later that day as I had a moment to reflect and ponder them. The few words were full of principles of truth I had been pondering in my heart for some time. Tears of gratitude for God, who connects with us on such personal and individual levels.

And as I've been pondering in the days since, it has more fully opened my heart and mind to both the giver and receiver.

The giver was willing to say something simple to someone he hardly knew, but because it was a good thing, he didn't hesitate to act. It reminded me of these words written by Moroni (chapter 7): "...all things which are good cometh of God."

The receiver was willing to listen. Sounds simple, but it's something I continually must practice. To let go of the inner conversation that limits and disputes what was shared. That discounts the goodness and finds the fault. Instead, choosing to listen and humbly accepting what was spoken with gratitude.

Because good thoughts are centered in God's love. A connection that utilizes the enabling power of Christ, who can heal our heavy hearts and strengthen our weaknesses. The choice is ours to receive and to listen.

I choose to write this experience, not for the experience alone, but as words to remember.

To remember the feeling of God's abundant love.
To remember that goodness has the potential to grow within all of us.
To remember to receive.
To remember to give.