Just Be Nice

So easy to say, and for some, it appears easy to do.  I wonder sometimes why some people are so kind and others are, just well, you know the word.  

While we were in South Africa for 2 weeks we stayed at a hunting lodge with 3 other, very nice gentlemen.  2 brothers from Utah and their childhood friend from West Virginia.  There were 3 professional hunters (hunting guides), the owners, and a cook that we had meals usually 3 meals a day with.  1 of the young men who was a PH (prof. hunter) was so kind. Every meal he helped clear the table, was constantly offering to refill drinks, whatever he thought you might need.  We all loved him.  He was just pleasant to be around.  Another of the guides, the youngest, was just the opposite.  He was loud-mouthed, obnoxious, had an opinion about everything, and of course was always right.  By the 2nd week I just tried to avoid him.  I think the gentleman who had his as a guide must have had the patience of Job to put up with him, although he did tell me that had had some words on occasion.  He never offered anyone a drink, never cleared a plate, and in fact was just rude.  He would ask the older guide, whom he looked up to and the pretty young cook if they wanted something but never a guest.  

It seems like some mornings at Kids Klub I’m like a broken record, “Be nice, use kind words, share, respect what your friend is saying, etc.”. That’s just how kids are, but why are so called grown-ups the same way? I don’t know the answer. I wish I did. The Bible says we are to put others above ourselves. Maybe that’s the difference. Some people put others before themselves and others don’t. Maybe we all need to go back to kindergarten and learn to share, be nice, and respect our classmates.

What made the 2 young men so different?  I don’t know.  There are lessons to be learned every day and I think 1 of the many lessons I learned in those 2 weeks was to be kind…always…to everyone.  I haven’t always been and I regret that.  I know people have bad days and everyone has something they are dealing with so don’t let yourself be something else bad for them to deal with that day.  Just Be Nice.

Love each other deeply. 1 Peter 4:8