Kindness Opens Doors

It is hard to believe it is already November! In this month when we often think about gratitude and giving, many of us also think about conflict and chaos. As you approach different tables this month, whether over coffee or around the Thanksgiving spread, we want to remind you how vital it is right now to be a Door Opener.

Many of us feel absolutely stuck when it comes to having open and meaningful dialogue. Since Covid, it seems a lot of people have lost some social skills, and in a time of very aggressive political pendulum swings, it can be a challenge to know when it is better to speak up or step away in certain conversations. Social media of course contributes to cyber courage, where each one of us has a safe distance between our typed words and the look on someone's face in person. Whew - there are times to burn the bridge and time to open the doors... Knowing how and when can be complex.

But Jesus made the filter easy for us. When asked what was most important, over and over again he came back to love. Love your neighbors, love yourself. Just as Jesus loves, we are supposed to love each other. He emphasized this was the most important part of following him - that his followers would be known by their LOVE.

So, how do we show love when we feel a lot of other things? How do we speak for justice and compassion? How do we wedge our feet into the metaphorical doors to just - keep - the - conversation - OPEN? It isn't easy. I wish I had an easy answer, but all I have today is the reminder of the challenge.

I do think, however, that KINDNESS - GRATITUDE - AND LOVE - Open Doors. At Sanctuary Groups this month, we'll be exploring what it means to keep the doors wide open - or at least a little ajar, creating even a slice of room for someone else to enter if they are willing to love despite our disagreements. That takes COURAGE. But we have each other to help guide our steps, and when we do so, we know we are following the path of Jesus.

Let's start with kindness. I would love to invite you take the week ahead and challenge yourself to at least three random acts of kindness. They can be huge and super meaningful, or small and anonymous. Change out the toilet paper roll, take the grocery buggy back, hold the door open, pay for the person in line behind you. Make a meaningful donation, give of your time, reach out to a friend, write the thank you note, pay it forward. Whatever works for you - remember - even the smallest acts of Kindness Opens Doors.