It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about going back to school.  As a teacher,  I think about the kids who will be entering my classroom; they’ll come in all shapes and sizes and with various abilities and personalities.  This reflection reminds me of a new boy that entered my room one year who had trouble with his speech and was challenged with making friends.   We had an indoor recess one day and every child ran for their friends and began playing games.  The new boy looked around at the gathered groups, saw no one gesturing to him, and quietly picked up the blocks and went to a corner to play alone.  But then something beautiful happened.  Zoe, a well-liked and friendly girl, left her group of laughing friends, crossed the room, and sat down by the new boy to play blocks with him the entire recess.  Simply put, love is kind.

Jesus set the standard.  From Matthew 20:28, “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Jesus always stopped for the weary, the sick, the poor, and the lonely.  The Bible is full of story after story of Jesus reaching out to those less fortunate.  The list is endless.  From Colossians 3:12-14, “So, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience…and above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” 

How does that relate to going back to school?  (And for that matter-how does it relate to everyone on the planet?)  It means we need to think about how to show kindness to those around us.  Still not sure what to do?  Follow the role models.  Follow Jesus, who is the perfect example of love and kindness.  Plus Zoe, the 10 year-old who left the easy and expected place to cross the room for the one who needed her.  And with that one action, she made the world a better place.