INSPIRASUNS

A friend put a post on social media last night that she’s been accused of being too nice. At first, I read that and thought you are nice and wonderful to people. She went on to say that maybe she was too nice, but she would rather give a little grace than get into it with someone who might just be having a bad day. Wow, I think that should be a motto these days 🙂 .

Is there such a thing as too nice though? I don’t know if you can be too nice, but I think being nice can take different forms. Take the proverb, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime”. Many times I think it’s easier and we feel better when we just give something. Isn’t it better though if we can really look at the issue and help others to be independent, to get back on their feet, to teach and support them for the long term?

I think about Habitat for Humanity, an organization that we’ve supported for decades through our church. I love their program because homes are not built and just given to a family. The family has to put sweet equity into building the home as well. They have to come and help hang drywall, paint walls, caulk bathrooms and kitchens, etc. They have to participate in the building of their home. They also have to take courses, learn how to manage money, a home budget, make house payments, etc. The families who participate in this program get help, help that gives them a foundation to be independent in the future. The happiness I see in these families when they move into the home they helped build, knowing that they are confident to make it work and one day own it in full, well, it’s priceless. That’s “teaching a man to fish”

When it comes to being nice to others, I so agree with my friend, be the joy in someone’s life. Yes, they may just be having a bad day and your grace may be just what they need to snap out of it 🙂 . And…when it comes to helping others in need, yes, let’s help with the immediate, however, let’s also look at the long-term ways to help them become independent.

We can show the love of Jesus by being nice, in the many forms that being nice takes.

Have a great day my friends, please continue to lift prayers for the return of Emily Rea.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.