“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:6
Kindness is something our world needs more of. Kind words bring smiles to our faces and warm feelings to our hearts. There seems to be an abundance of negativity. Who wants that? Kind actions reflect the bright and loving life of God, our Heavenly Father.
Ethan Wargo understands the power of kindness. Although Ethan is only 9 years old, he knows that we all need to hear kind words from time to time. To help share kind words, Ethan set up a table in his front yard and placed a hand-written sign on it that read, “Free Compliments.” He pulled up a chair and took his place, ready to bless anyone who dropped by.
It took some time before people stopped, but once they did, they realized Ethan was serious about sharing positive compliments. Ethan told the Washington Post, “I want to give out something good that will make them have a big smile on their face.” Sure, he could have chosen to sell lemonade or cookies (Always a favorite), but he wanted to be a blessing. Ethan wanted to offer something that filled the soul.
Ethan was inspired to open his free complement stand after reading a popular book in school. In the book, a young boy opens an “insult stand.” That didn’t seem right to Ethan, so he changed the approach. Now, people come from all over to receive positive and encouraging words from Ethan. Ethan told the news, “It makes people feel good, and it makes me feel good.”
I hope Ethan inspires your start to this week. With intentional words of kindness, we can bring joy to the world around us. If we are careful with our words and look for moments to share compliments, encouragement, and goodwill, we will bless others and no doubt feel better ourselves.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
