Hello!   Welcome to ~ CANDOR ~ my new weekly blog.  I love the word candor because it is defined as the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness; fairness.  I’ve decided to jump on the blog wagon, so that I could touch upon many different things that have been on my heart.  So…I am hoping to bring uplifting but truthful insight on a weekly basis.

Today’s topic….

Kindness!  I love that word.  I believe it is one of the most important words that affect our relationships with one another.  There are so many ways to be kind.  That smile on your face greeting others, a gentle hug, holding that door, an uplifting comment, a listening ear, or just simply using manners…these small insignificant things are what mean the most at times.  If you are a non-millennial, some of you would remember a place called the video store.  Prior to DVDs (kind of showing my age here), there were VHS movies.  Anyway, the videotapes had stickers on them “Be Kind and Rewind”.

This was a gentle reminder so that when you finished viewing, you would rewind for the next persons use.  Why?  So that the when you returned the video, the employees would not have to do what each movie watcher should have done.  As insignificant as that little sticker seemed, it was the consideration factor, the follow through, the importance of responsibility, just plain old being kind!

As a Christian, I consider myself a conservative and refer to the Bible as my complete truth.  My stance on issues always goes back to what the Bible says.   It is as simple as that.  I am more than certain that not all would agree with me on everything.  Does that mean we need to be at odds just because we do not see eye to eye?!  Absolutely not.  We do NOT always have to agree with each other to be genuine, gracious and kind hearted. In this crazy world we live in, we lose sight of that. Even within the Christian arena, folks are arguing for the sake of being right.   There will always be different opinions.  While I am unwavering in my personal beliefs and will always hold true to them, it does not mean that if we disagree, we’re enemies.  Sadly, there are many that feel this way.  Not so!  We have the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on those who you come in contact with.  My hope is that folks who cross my path always know that I care and thereby see a loving God through my words and actions.  That is always the goal.  I know that kindness from each one of us could make all the difference our world is desperate for.

• Ephesians 4:32 says “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  I love this scripture because if Jesus can go through all He did and still be kind and forgive, we certainly can – He is the epitome of all that is good! So, when that thorn-in-the-side person gets under your skin, try and remember that maybe, just maybe they are going through something and need some grace.

“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.”

God Bless your sweet souls!

~Tanya