Spirit of Kindness

This morning, as I was ordering more ink for my printer, I got a call from my rheumatologists office.

 I have been weaning myself off of a medication that I really need. Why?  Because I have joined the ranks of the uninsured.

 I informed my rheumatologist’s that I could pay for my meds out of pocket, but I couldn’t afford the lab work that comes with it. I asked how to proceed.

I never heard back. I did the only thing I could do, I started weaning myself off of the meds. Thiss morning I realize I have 5 days of partial medication left.

Then? I get a call. “Dr.D says come in anyway. We will do labs here and bill you later. You can’t afford to get off of x medication because your muscles are gonna go crazy later.” (It’s a myositis thing).

After I hang up, I sit and cry in relief.

Once again, humans have shown grace in the midst of the mess.

I remember years ago, when I was working with refugees from Darfur. I went into a deep dive on the number of genocides that occur at any given time around the world. I was getting into a deep funk about how haunting humans can be.

Yet…we were still in existence as a species. I wondered how.

The more I listened and researched, I saw/heard a recurring theme of random acts of kindness and grace that helped sustain hope for survivors of these genocides. This kindness story surfaced in every person’s story.

It occurred to me, that the only way we survive ourselves is through the goodness and kindness within and among us.

 Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Right now everyone is going through ridiculous seasons. Deportations of family and friends, strange disappearances for unknown reasons, deaths, job insecurities, partial paychecks, loss of food security, business closures,loss of access to health care, and shrinkflation gone wild.

 Wanna pay a gazillion dollars for 1/3 a bag of chips? Go to my local grocery store.

We are called to be lights in the darkness. (Mathew 5:16) I see my fellow humans do just that.

 How? By the fruits of the spirit with which we are gifted.

I want to spend a little time highlighting a few of those acts of kindness I have seen play out just this week….and it’s only Tuesday.

First, my rheumatologist and his staff, who are trying desperately to keep a slew of patients on their maintenance medications.

A previous co-worker reports that when he stepped up to pay for his groceries last week, the woman in front of him had already paid for them.

I have friends that continue to cook and deliver meals for lasagna love. Don’t know about lasagna love? https://lasagnalove.org/    check. It. Out..

I have a co-worker who brought us all gift bags filled with old school candies. Just because he knows everyone is struggling.

My son and daughter in law run a small market garden. https://www.harmonymarketgarden.com/ They are currently giving away $20 of produce, to anyone who shows them an EBT card.

A church friend annually gives Thanksgiving meals to dozens of families. This year she continues.

My sister gifts grocery store gift cards.

The acts of compassion and goodness surround us in quiet, understated ways. I bet, if you look, you will see it happening all around you.

Our churches (and many other ngo’s) continue to provide food for the hungry. Blankets for the cold.

Friends continue to cook meals for neighbors in need. We check on friends who are sick.  

We give each other ( friends, family, co-workers, strangers) space to share our fears and concerns. We crack small jokes, we dream, we cry, we sometimes share a little mischief. We pray for one another.

This spirt of kindness, my friends, is how we survive ourselves.