It’s Blog Carnival time again. Please stop by Bridget’s site to see all of the wonderful entries into the carnival.
This week’s carnival is on Kindness – something I didn’t think I knew how to write about but I have been shown extraordinary kindness over the past few months and feel that I know at least a little about it now.
A couple of months ago, everything started getting too much for me and I had to draw back from pretty much everything.
I was stressed beyond anything I had experienced before, tired, grouchy and unable to cope with anything. I stopped blogging, stopped tweeting, stopped answering emails, stopped reading blog posts, stopped everything really.
I just couldn’t do it.
That was back in December and I’ve been that way ever since.
Most days, simply answering an email was too stressful for me. I slipped into depression and have been taking medication to try to get me back on track.
What has truly amazed me is the loving kindness shown to me by people I barely even know and most of whom I have never met in person.
It seems that barely a day goes by where I don’t receive an email or tweet from someone somewhere in the world checking up on me and telling me that they’re praying for me.
I’ve broken nearly all the rules of social media by barely blogging and doing poorly written posts when I do, not engaging on facebook or twitter and not connecting with online friends.
Yet for no earthly reason, so many people have stuck by me. It’s amazing.
I don’t add anything to this community, I haven’t been bringing anything of any value to people’s lives and yet there they are, telling me they miss me, praying for me, thinking about me. It’s beyond my comprehension.
The phrase I used just now is probably the key though: “no earthly reason”. You see, in human terms there’s no reason why people I’ve never met would still be praying for me months down the line. In human terms the kindness I’ve been shown is extravagant to say the least.
But many, if not most of the people I’m talking about do not do things on human terms. There is no earthly reason, but there is a heavenly reason.
God shows us his unfailing, unending loving kindness and we cannot help but do the same to each other. What I’ve been experiencing is the Church BEING the Church. Not tearing me down for my failures but lifting me up, not forgetting me and leaving me behind but carrying me through.
I am on the road to recovery. I’ve been able to do some simple things like reply to emails in the last week or so that I haven’t been able to do for a while but it’s a rocky road and sometimes I feel like I take one step forward only to take two BIG steps back.
By the grace of God I’m getting there and I truly appreciate the love, kindness and support shown to me by so many people over the last couple of months.
Thank you all for your kindness.
I mean it.
the kindness in your heart draws it out of others …
Peter,
You describe so well the unseen spiritual union of believers, how we are really all part of the same body, such that when one part is hurting the whole body hurts. You are my brother and your health, peace of heart and joy is of great importance to me. Thank you for giving testimony to the beauty of Christ's bride. It blessed me greatly.
Your brother, Mark
We are the church, Peter, and they'll know who we because because we love. And because we pray.
Oh, this is so wonderful… thank you for sharing. You have encouraged *my* heart today!
You are part of a community and Community is what kindness is.
I believe each person has something to offer, and you do.
Thank you for your courage in sharing this, Peter. So grateful to hear you're doing better. This post makes me think of David and his Psalms, and how so many times he wandered through thick, dark places, too. Lean into God. Lean into the kindness. Blessings to you.
Wonderful. And so true. Beautiful to see how God is loving you through His people. I've been on the receiving end at low points in my own life. It's very humbling, but very touching as well.
My thought: let the kindness speak to you where words cannot.
"I don’t add anything to this community, I haven’t been bringing anything of any value to people’s lives and yet…"
Huh???
Though I'm not one to disagree with people, I beg to differ. What you bring to this community is genuine kindness and encouragement.. Maybe you don't feel it today. Maybe not yesterday. But while we pray for you and God walks with you in this season, you bring us vulnerability and authenticity. You show us feelings and emotions that we often share, but don't have the courage to put them out there. We have seen your kind heart. We feel your angst. I consider it an honor to call you friend, and a privilege to pray for you.
I agree with Candy.
Peter, I came to your site through a link from maureen's, Writing without Paper and have been immersed in the wonder of you.
Your words, your honesty, your truth add value to my life. Light. Hope. Beauty.
thank you!
Louise
and…. your title is soooo interesting because I used a scene from Some Kind of Wonderful to start my blog today — and it's about — you can't judge a book by it's cover!
How could we stand with you in the good and then leave you in the hard times? You have been a blessing in so many ways and God has used you to encourage each of us. I’m sending love and prayers for you today!
God really is good to us…
You have made a huge difference with your kind words and encouragements… now it is your turn to feel the love! Blessings to you, Peter.
I'm so grateful to the body of Christ for displaying true Biblical community to you. Usually we hear about how the church has let yet another person down or downright eaten their own, but how refreshing to hear the positive news about the body!!!
Encouragement from my favorite passage – Psalm 103:
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
I hope this encourages you…He will redeem your life from the pit and crown you with love and compassion!!!!
Michele
I'm with Candy and Katdish. You are a blessing.
I was blessed by your encouragement to #betheChurch. At the time, I felt so homebound, like I wasn't adding anything of value to the outside world. Your encouragement to #betheChurch reminded me that something as simple as gathering carts in the parking lot can bless someone.
And now you are blessing us by allowing us to pray for you, AND by showing us that it is okay to admit that we aren't okay. It's okay to say we need help. I have been following your lead on this lately, and admitting to those around me, that yes, there is something they can do for me. Six months ago, pride would have kept me from doing that. And I would be worse off for it. Thank you for your example.
I am glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better Peter! I will continue to pray for you!
We've all had a hand up. You've given a hand up. Soldiers, shoulder to shoulder in the trenches. Seems like you have lots of company.
God loves it when you are boldly honest and boldly clear. Thank you for being both. Your honesty and clarity bring joy to me. Thanks.
What Candy said…
We love you, Peter. Mean that.
kindness breaks all the rules
you are always with us, brother…and we are with you.
kindness breaks all the rules
you are always with us, brother…and we are with you.
I hope those who read this understand what a dark place that is. We are pulling for you from a distance to escape.
Larry
That was a very honest post. As someone who has also had to deal with depression I can relate to what you describe about not wanting to interact. I generally find that hard to talk about and admit, though. Your willingness to talk about it bluntly tells me a lot about you and explains to me why you have a community here who obviously loves you.
What a genuine post. I like Christians who are honest and not all syrupy sweet all the time. It's helps me not to feel so alone when I am struggling at times to make sense out of life. Your unwavering faith in God still shines through Peter.
That whole 'I don't bring anything' statement jumped out at me and it looks like Candy pretty well covered what I immediately thought.
So, what Candy said, and ditto Katdish and Helen.
Oh, and you're bringing something to my new website but you'll have to ask Nick what it is because his email was too geektackular for me to understand. But whatever he said, I'm sure you play an important part. snort!