By Pastor Linda Skinner
Pastor Marilyn Biggs was always one of my mentors in the “kindness” arena. Marilyn had a way about her that even if she was disagreeing with you her approach disarmed you, so it didn’t feel like you were having an argument. It was her demeanor, her voice inflections, and her calmness.
The last conversation I had with Marilyn was about how civility and kindness seemed to be in short supply even within the Christian community. People seemed to be more critical, quicker to get upset and less willing to practice forgiveness and grace. After a long conversation, Marilyn looked and me and said, “We all just need a lot more time with Jesus.” It was only about a week after those words that Marilyn went to be with Jesus. Since I don’t have Marilyn to talk with about this subject, I’ve been doing a lot of praying, thinking, and studying on the topic of “kindness.” What is “kindness?” Where does it come from and how do we tap into it? How can I facilitate “kindness” around me?
This Sunday, January 16, Pastor Tim asked me to share in the series “Keep on Dreaming.” Since it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, naturally my message title had to be “Courageous Dreaming.” When Marilyn and I discussed kindness, we began to dream about what our world could be like with just a little more kindness in it. One of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quotes that I love is “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” His dream was a dream of reconciliation and healing. For that he took much criticism. But he stuck to it. He was warned by his closest advisor that he would probably be killed for what he was preaching, and he was. But nothing deterred him.
The “kindness” road is definitely the tougher road to walk, but it is the one that Jesus is walking and for me, that is the road I want to take.
Join me this Sunday as we explore the Courageous Dream walking with Jesus. Worship with us in person at Spirit Falls Sanctuary 10:30 am or online on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, at www.wacathedral.org, or on our WaCathedral App.
Blessings,
Pastor Linda