And they said to him,

"If you will be a servant

to this people today

and serve them,

and speak good words

to them

when you answer them,

then they will be

your servants forever."

          1 Kings 12. 7

(Am I responding

  or am I reacting?

I cannot change others

but I can change myself.

The outcome

is not based on their action,

but my response.

What is my heart in this?

In this situation,

kindness in words and deed

would have changed

the course of history.

It still does.)

O LORD,

Help us to not react

   to circumstances,

but respond to You.

To love You,

be loved by You,

and act that way.

Fill us with

boatloads of grace,

knowing that love

and kindness

are unexpected

       in this world

and always point others

            to You.

Being nice is easy,

being kind

      takes awareness,

giving grace

   always brings Your glory.

Make us aware,

            O LORD,

of loving others

even in the unexpected

and among the

          most unlikely.

Even right now.

Even in this.