By Lois Hewitt

The cross on my lapel is the smallest cross I have ever seen.  Back in the day, when I wore a tie for work, I used this small silver cross as a tie tac.  Now that I no longer where a tie to work, I placed the small cross on my sweater lapel.

Most days I forget it is there. Once in a while I check it to be sure it’s not in an incorrect position.  It does tend to spin because the backing is really cheap and the cross has seen better days.

I rarely venture out to places other than work.  I am a practicing hermit with introverted tendencies. But once in a while I will end up at a grocery store or pharmacy.

I always pray for kindness when I do venture out in the world. It’s not that I am unkind, rather I tend to live in my own bubble and sometimes forget other people exist (I’m working on that).  So I pray to be aware and to always be kind.

I have worked too many years with the public, and, unfortunately, many people are not nice and some are absolutely cruel.  I work to never be like that.

I stay patient when I feel like screaming to hurry up.  I understand when lines are long and that many places are under-staffed.  I know that sometimes my item will be sold out and it’s not the cashiers fault. Neither is it their fault the prices are high or the return policy is strict.  Patience is a necessary super power in today’s world.

When I get to the counter, I always say hi and either be quiet or lightly chat. Depends on the cashier. I always say thank you too many times. I try to be courteous.

Do you know the one thing I always notice?  They look at that tiny cross on my lapel.  Every time.

It is a constant reminder that as a child of God we are called to kindness. It is a fruit of the spirit. It is what His children should be.

Oh I know how easy it is to be in a hurry. How easy to get aggravated. How easy to lose ones temper.  I still do all those things and more. I am flawed and fallen. But when I realize that I am potentially walking into a situation that I may not enjoy, I pray. That guards me up to be aware and calms me down so that I can be more patient.

When the world is watching Christians to see how we react to those situations, it becomes ever more important to be in the Spirit.

I don’t want to be “that person” that repels everyone in their path.  I could easily be “that person” but I would be letting God and my fellow humans down. 

Even if it seems like your actions do not matter, no matter how insignificant you feel, realize none of that is true.  You are an ambassador of God. And many of His children act contrary to His word unfortunately.

I want to take all the goodness He has shown me in my sinful life and shine it on the world. No act, no matter the size, is ever not noticed. My motto is to be as kind as the kindness He has shown me. I can never be that kind but I can keep praying and trying.