Page 80 - July ONLINE VERSION

Four Kind Women make Five
By Anne Calvert
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
Proverbs 31:26
I have been blessed with four of the kindest women
in my life. Women, who even today, years after I have
seen some of them, still hold the top spots when I
think of kindness. One thing is for sure, I want to be
just as kind as them.
My Aunt Mary was the first person I remember being
kind. Mind you, she whooped my bottom when nec-
essary. But in those situations, it was to be expected
that kindness was set aside a moment. I never heard
hurtful or negative words from her. She was always
nurturing, loving, and kind.
I moved away when I was
nineteen and seldom came
back, but I always made time
for Aunt Mary. Every time
we went to visit with her, she
would have donuts, pastries,
fruit, or some snacks for
my children and always had
tea with orange instead of
lemon. She would sit and
listen to us and laugh at my
children and their antics,
smiling the entire time. I
looked forward to her letters
and yearly birthday cards be-
cause she was always kind. Even
after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she was
still the sweet, kind, always-smiling Aunt Mary that I
will always remember. She was an angel on earth.
I met Elaine, my first co-worker, when I was 16. She
was an older woman--keep in mind at sixteen, forty
was older--who showed me extreme kindness despite
my hot-headedness and fierce attitude. I worked at
German restaurant and deli named Speisemeister
located inside our mall in New Jersey. If you checked
with anyone who knew me and everyone who had to
deal with me in those early years, I was a force to be
reckoned with.
80 www.zoegracepublishing.com
much time finding out if we knew Jesus and if we
She spoke gently and usually maintained a smile.
I cannot tell you how many conversations we had
where she would try to help me see the correct way
to respond to situations. One of the secrets she taught
me was that when a customer got to me, I should
go into the cooler where I could not be heard and
scream to get it out of my system. Thinking back, I
can only imagine how awful I must have been for that
piece of advice. I have not spoken to her since I left
Jersey, but if I could, I would tell her how her kind-
ness and tenderness touched my life.
Another kind, tender soul is
Debbie. I was new to Tennes-
see and new to any religion
but Catholic when we began
attending the same church.
Keep in mind, I was still a
lot to handle. I had my in-
dependence, disagreed with
the beliefs, and didn’t want to
conform. I refused to read the
scripture or soul search. None
of this mattered to Debbie; she
loved me with a smile, a hug
and a kind word. She helped
me feel accepted. Through the
years, she has always been kind
and encouraging. Just another beautiful soul who has
helped me on my journey. Thankfully, she is still in
my life and I can tell her how her kindness touched
my heart.
Kim was my first friend after moving to Tennessee.
The day we were moving in, our neighbor on the
other side of our duplex, Kim, came over to introduce
herself. Kim and I became friends quickly as did our
husbands. Because we lived so close to each other and
were close in age, we spent lots of time together.
She was friendly and kind. She did not waste too
ZGP Magazine
living God’s principles. So today the lives I touch,
went to church anywhere. Just like any good Chris-
the kindness I show others stems back to the simple
tian knows, people like food, and usually an invite to kindness of my friends and family.
church followed by a bribe of a home-cooked lunch
works like a charm. We went to "Therefore, as God's There has been an untold amount of
church with them, where they
people in my life. But the ones who
were active youth pastors, and had chosen people, holy and stay with me most are the ones who
lunch that day, and we clicked. dearly loved, clothe were kind, in a genuine way. Kindness
yourselves with is very important, and I promote it as
We were new to the area, spiri- compassion, kindness, much as I can. Kindness brightens up
tually lost, and the outlook for humility, gentleness and the worst of days. Do not underesti-
me to make good friends with patience." mate the power of kindness. Especial-
my attitude, very slim. Kim and Colossians 3:12 ly in today’s world, we cannot take for
her husband Bill could see past granted what a simple act of kindness
my hurt and sassiness. God knew can accomplish. Being kind to your-
it would take the kindness, patience, and love of a self is just as important as showing others kindness.
strong, faithful, obedient woman to help soften my
heart. Kim took me under her wing and mentored me
without me realizing it through her words in action “Be kind and compassionate to one
and that she taught me in love. Although Kim was another, forgiving each other, just as in
only a couple of years older than me, she was much Christ God forgave you.”
more mature, abundantly more spiritual, and sweeter Ephesians 4:32
than I was. As a matter of fact, to this day I refer to
her as “the holiest person I know.”
Then they moved to another part of the state, then
moved again, and again and we lost contact. A couple Anne lives in Jackson, Tennessee, where she and
of times she called me out of the blue to see how I her husband, Wesley, are leaders at The Hope Cen-
was, but we didn’t keep in touch after the calls. About ter. They share their home with four dogs and lots
two years ago, I found her on social media, and we re- of books. When time allows, they enjoy hiking and
connected. She was just as kind and loving as the day wandering around Tennessee and the surrounding
we met almost thirty years ago. area looking for adventures.
I had no idea at that time what the fruits of the Spirit Anne jokes that she
were, but had I known, I would have been able to could never figure out
identify them in her. Galatians 5:22-23 in the New what she wanted to be
Living Translation says, “But when the Holy Spirit in life until 2018, when
controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit she was introduced
in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, to NaNoWriMo and
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” She was began writing a novel.
kind and loved me when my attitude was unlovable. Her sincerest desire is
I know I needed Kim, but I think she needed me too. to share her one true
I believe I helped her fine-tune the fruits of the Spirit love, Jesus, with others.
in her life.
It was Jesus working through them and their obedi-
ence and love for Him that helps extend the same to
others. The kindness of these beautiful women helped
make me who I am and how I live my life. They were
ZGP Magazine www.zoegracepublishing.com 81