Kindness
For reflection… Maybe you know someone whose story connects with the one below. Maybe it resonates with you. What would you want to see done differently? What would you like to say to this person? How would you show them kindness and compassion? This is real, this is a representation (the words) of a person’s experience of what happened when they tried to get help when they turned to those who had helped in the past. This happens. The service may have been under-resourced, maybe their service didn’t cater for what this person needed now, it doesn’t really matter what the reason. What matters is that as a society we are turning people away all the time, whether personally, socially or organisationally. There needs to be change and change starts with us. A smile, sitting with someone, taking them by the hand to somewhere that can help, making a meal…. We can help.
Kindness isn’t fixing, it is walking the journey. Kindness is not assumptive, it does not judge, it can make suggestions and have hard conversations…but it does not reject. Kindness is a dialogue where maybe…just maybe a different solution can be found, a different lens can be looked through.
So this is it?
I am now on my own.
Seriously, what happened to “You are loved; you matter”.
I’ve done my time, healed many wounds, exposed my soul, and spilled it’s contents. I’ve done the hard work. You invited me in, and You kept me safe. You showed me a new way and introduced me to the mighty healer, My provider, protector and creator, The one who says we are one… one body with many parts, All working together. I did not always conform or measure up to your standards. I broke the rules; I am the sheep that wandered away. You said He said we are unique, that we are loved.
Where is the care now? Is there somewhere else I can go? Surely this is not it? I am clean and have learnt much…but I still have so far to go. Learning is a lifelong journey….. I knocked on the door again, only to be turned away. I may be healed… but I don’t know how to live…
Where do I go? Who do I see? Who is my clan now? Where do I find them? What is next? I know I don’t always get it right, I don’t always conform, But I am a lost sheep. Where is the shepherd that comes after the lost?
My old life is toxic…but at least they accept me, Will let me back in when I knock, and will hang out with me. Life is not good, but I belong…they make me feel like I mean something. Yes, I know I am loved, but is that true?
Where are the people now? How do I know who will love me? What if I am rejected again….maybe it is easier if I go back… Who is there for me now, will sit with me, and will listen… I know there are things I need to do. Who will walk with me and help me to fly on my own…
Where is the nest? The life of love, freedom and hope you promised…