February 16, 2022 Weekly Update
Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? It’s a nightly ritual at my house. Someone recently asked me “What’s your favorite event?” My honest answer was: I don’t have one! I love them all! Alpine and Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon, Curling, Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Ice Dancing, Snowboard – I enjoy them all! I’ll be sad when the Olympics end this coming weekend because I really appreciate the hard work, the national pride, the pressure, competition, and stories that unfold each day.
But one story caught my eye this week, especially in light of our focus on Random Acts of Kindness this week. In the men’s 15km Cross-Country skiing event last Friday, Finland’s Iivo Niskanen won his 3rd gold medal. Wow! He collapsed at the finish line (can you blame him?!) after finishing in under 38 minutes. Instead of moving on to celebrate or recover, he WAITED for every single competitor behind him – 94 other men -to complete the race. He WAITED at the finish line for 20 minutes. And when the last skier crossed the finish line, Niskanen hugged his opponent and demonstrated the heart of the Olympic spirit.
This skier’s respect and patience toward his fellow human beings is at the heart of what it means to offer kindness to others – whether intentional or random kindness. Jesus always invites us to see through the eyes of another, to walk in their shoes, to empathize with their circumstance or situation. And when we do that, we can offer genuine compassion and kindness that blesses the heart of our neighbor and our heart, too.
I can’t wait to hear how you’ve shown kindness this week! See you Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Jared