Thanksgiving Proverb of the Month
Proverb of the Month
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you had a delightful holiday full of calories, good conversation and smiles. Can you believe we are already wrapping up November? I wanted to get back on my monthly proverb series and share one that has been on my mind this month…and ties in well with the Thanksgiving holiday!
This month’s proverb is Proverbs 11:17, which says: “A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
What is your initial response to this proverb? I personally felt slight surprise. Because this proverb focuses more on the giver than the recipient of said kindness, I find it especially thought-provoking.
Have you ever met someone uncommonly kind ? I don’t necessarily mean nice, but someone compassionate, empathetic, warm and generous. Have you ever had someone whose interactions felt like a warm hug, birthday present and an A+ paper in one?
I was thinking about people I know who are particularly kind to others and I realized that they are all extremely blessed. They have a way of making people trust, confide in, respect and care about them. When they need a helping hand, plenty jump at the chance to contribute. Most notably, they each seem to have an enviable sense of life and tranquility to them more than anyone else.
On the flip-side, have you ever known someone unnecessarily cruel?
Think about it—if someone kind gains trust, respect, relationship and honor what would someone cruel receive? Certainly not trust…and likely not heartfelt respect. I remember my grandma saying to me as a child never to metaphorically (or literally) burn any bridges because one never knew when they may need a friend. Cruel behavior not only hurts others and poisons societies, but it eventually comes back to haunt the primary individual.
I was thinking about how this proverb applies to daily life and realized how easy it is to let our everyday interactions with others—whether family, friends, strangers or someone online—lack warmth and kindness. Sometimes kindness just doesn’t seem as important compared to other issues that present themselves each day. Some moments we might not have the energy or even desire to be kind to people that get under our skin.
The author to Proverbs understands this. That is likely why they give incentive to be kind for the benefit of yourself if nobody else. The New Living Translation says, “Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.” The King James Version has an even more blunt translation: “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” If we react with anger and offense to every supposed slight and wrong, our inward spirits and maybe even our physical bodies will likely be in constant turmoil. We can become paranoid, alienate people and waste time and energy we never get back. But if we strive to treat others with mercy and compassion, the benefits will continue to multiply.
Practical Application
So, as we enter this holiday season how can we practically show kindness to others? I think a powerful and simple way to show kindness to others is to show eye contact and actually listen when they are speaking. I know! For some reason that can be uncomfortable, but there is something powerful and disarming about being seen and listened to by someone. You don’t have to agree with or even like them, but you can benefit your own soul by meeting their gaze and allowing them to share what’s on their mind. You can even smile for good measure! On the flipside, if you encounter someone that really rubs you the wrong way, you can show kindness by refusing to retaliate evil for evil. You can trust that this proverb will come to pass and that person will eventually either become convicted or reprimanded for their own cruely without your contribution.
Before we go, I want to leave you with a few of my favorite quotes that tie in with this proverb on kindness.
“People will forget what you look like or did but not forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou
"Just like your mother, you are unfailingly kind. A trait people never fail to undervalue, I'm afraid." —Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
What About You?
What are your thoughts on this proverb? I would love to know what stood out most to you and if you had anything to add or change to my thoughts!
