Today, I am re-posting a segment from  my cousin, Kathy. As Christmas approaches there are often extra efforts to show love, encouragement, and kindness to others. However, as noted by my cousin here, showing kindness to to others should be a part of our everyday lives. Kathy B, has been a frequent guest writer on  my blog and she often has a unique insight to share with others.  She seems to have a mission in life to encourage lift up others and therefore, she is the perfect guest writer here. She continues to make regular visits to a nursing home for the purpose of encouraging others. She can always tell when someone is extra sad. She tells me, “I like to make others smile.” And one day while going to church, she was focused on God’s grace and his forgiveness which led her to a certain passage in scripture.  Here is Kathy in  own words:

Being Compassionate Everyday

Thank you for your grace and restoration that you give us everyday,

Even though we clearly fall short and don’t deserve it.

We are so wrapped up in ourselves that we fail to think or care for others,

because our past hurts cut us to the core of our being,

Help us to be like You, loving and compassionate.

Psalm 62  (Holy Bible New International Version)

¹ Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
² Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

³ How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
⁴ Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.^[b]

⁵ Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
⁶ Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God^[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
⁸ Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

⁹ Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
¹⁰ Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

¹¹ One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
¹²     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”