Every week I volunteer as a youth group leader at my church for middle school girls. We have a lot of laughs, but we also have a lot of deep discussions. Recently, we talked about what it means to be meek in wisdom. It was James 3:13 (ESV) that brought up this topic: "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." The modern, sometimes youthful impression of "meekness" is typically the wrong one. Most of the young ladies agreed that meekness sounded like someone who was a pushover; someone who can't stand up for themselves. The other leaders and I clarified for them that this is not the Biblical meaning of the word. I told them: You've seen the catch phrase "be kind," on social media and on t-shirts recently, right?
Well, the Bible has been telling its readers to "be kind" since before Jesus Christ, only it utilizes a different, more impactful word: meekness. It doesn't take a weak person, or a pushover, to be kind. On the contrary, it takes a stronger one. It takes someone who is constantly submissive to the will of God (their maker); one who is consistenlty practicing spiritual strength and self-control. That is meekness; and it's really not difficult but has to be exercised to get better at it.
I remember, as a child I used to play football in the open fields at my Dad's church. I had a small army of friends who were boys, and I was the only girl among them. They welcomed me, not because I was a girl, but because more than once on the field I had proven I could run, tackle, catch, and throw with the best of them. This wasn't tag football or adult-supervised sports. It was tackle; it was rough and tumble, and it was filled with a bunch of misfit members who, looking back, remind me of the boys from the movie Sandlot.
SIDE NOTE: The leader of that misfit team in the movie, Benny Rodriguez, reminded me of someone who exercises "strength under control" a lot (aka, meekness) and, as a result, showed a special sort of kindness to Scotty Smalls by including him in the baseball group. Anyway, back to my football story . . .
We were just a bunch of kids, playing ball, and I was the only one who didn't mind "dirt in the skirt" (quoting another movie here, called, A League of Their Own), because many times I was playing tackle football with a skirt on and shorts underneath. The organizers of these weekly games held on Wednesday nights were cousins and two of my closest friends as a kid. Their names were Kenny and Lance. They were always the captains, and they always fought over who got me on their team. Kenny had a little brother named Kyle. He was the little guy among us, and consequently the last one to get picked. Every time. It bothered me. He was a good player, just smaller. And, his big brother and older cousin always harped on him. At the end of one particular game, one where Kyle and I had ended up on the same side, and lost, the poor kid had gotten a mouth full from Kenny. His big brother did not like to lose. A lot of mean name-calling was said. I didn't like it all. After Kenny walked away, Kyle sat on the grass and hung his head down low. I thought he might cry at any minute. I knew if tears broke out he would get it even more. So, I walked over to him and said gently, "Kyle, hold out your hand."
"Why?" He asked. His eyes were both glassy and skeptical.
"Trust me."
He opened his hand, palm up, ready to receive my gift. I slapped his hand. He looked down at it, and then back up at me. "What did you do that for?"
"It's the magic five, dude. I just gave you some magic. Don't let Kenny and Lance push you around. You are just as good as they are."
I ran off then, but briefly stopped to turn and wave goodbye. He still sat there, hand open, with the biggest smile I had ever seen on his face.
Whenever I see or speak to someone who seems like they are having a rough day, I remember Kyle, and I try to give them the "magic five." Not a literal hand-slappin' five . . . I mean a kind word. Kyle needed just a little bit of kindness that night, and that little act did work like magic. It lifted his spirits and helped him keep his head up for a long time after that. I have found that a kind word really does go a long way for somebody who needs it.
So, my challenge for you this week is to exercise your meekness, and keep your eyes open for those who need that special type of care extended to them. What we do every day is not just help clients buy a home in Florida, but we also help them build a better future for themselves and their families. Have a great week, team, and carry on.
NMLS #1682906
American Residential Mortgage (NMLS #1669556) is an equal housing opportunity mortgage broker and an equal opportunity employer.
Comments