Last year, Mackenzie and Lance started a new hobby - bee keeping. They have several hives at a lot we own on a nearby pond. They put a lot of work into tending the bees. They even went to a "bee keeping" class a couple of weeks ago. Lance sent me this picture. Mack is the one in the pink bee suit. I bought it for her. I don't do anything that stings so that's the limit to my involvement, well that and enjoying the honey. 

I do love the honey. I love putting it in my coffee and mixing it in my peanut butter. I even love pouring it over fried chicken. Honey is good stuff! It's so good we often identify other good things by calling them "as sweet as honey." 

Kindness is one of those things that is "as sweet as honey." That's why I love that kindness is trending. The world needs more kindness. Random acts of kindness, sacrificial kindness, undeserved kindness, all of that and more. But choosing it just won't work.

Why? Because choosing kindness is like trying to have honey without the bee. Eventually the sweet gift will run out without the giver.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick... I doubt anyone would choose to vinyl that on a shirt or paint on a canvas to display over the mantle. It's not pleasant to think about, but it reveals a truth we must realize. We cannot choose kind because our hearts are not kind.

There is someone who is kind, though. 

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

The Lord can create in us what our diminishing willpower can never accomplish. We will become kind as we get to know Kindness.

You can't choose kindness. But here are some things you can choose. 

• You can choose to make Jesus the King of your Life. This is so much different than believing He exists or trying to be good. It isn't accomplished by going to mass or Sunday service. It happens when you surrender every area of your life to God's Lordship.
• You can choose to spend time in His Word everyday. Reading the Bible changes you. It's unlike any other book because it is Alive. It cures your heart and transforms your life. It equips you to act more like it's Author.
• You can choose to pray. When you talk honestly and consistently with God, you get to know Him better. And the more you know, the more you will want to know.

When these are the choices that you make, kindness will be a natural product.

And God's kindness is unending, purer, and even sweeter than the bottle of "Mack-Daddy Honey" I just drizzled over my vanilla yogurt.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

This year I feel like I have been officially ushered into the "boy mom" world. I've been blessed to be mom to a little man for five years, and for the first time in his young life, he is playing the great American sport of baseball.

I don't know much about the sport, or any other sport for that matter. I have one sister. We danced. You need me to pick out some jazz shoes, I'm your girl. Bats, not so much. But I'm learning. One thing I figured is that if you are going to be an official baseball mom, you need one of those cute t-shirts that say, "You play; I pray." I may get one. But my prayer may not be what you expect.

I won't be praying for the big win or a home run. I'm not saying God doesn't care about those things. He cares about everything about us. He knows how many thousands of hairs are on our heads. But I think it would serve Andrew better if this were my prayer...

Son,
I pray that sometimes you get a big hit, and that when you do, you feel proud of yourself, but not prideful. I pray that you strike out some, too. Every swing won't be a home run. It's like that in life. Learning from your mistakes and trying again forms character.

I pray that you learn what it means to be part of a team. What you do affects others. When you don't give 100% your whole team may suffer. When your effort results in a win, you should share that victory.

I pray that you, Daddy, and I remember to thank the coach and many volunteers who are giving up their time for you. I know the best way to teach you gratefulness and respect is to model it.

I pray that you have a ton of fun, that you make new friends, and that you and Sissy get to eat lots of pickles from the concession stand.

I pray that as your Momma, I support you, but never worship you. 

I pray I get you what you need without spending exorbitant resources on the latest bat or coolest shoes just so you fit in. I pray that I never burden you by shackling my self-worth to your success. I pray that I refuse to sacrifice my relationship with your daddy because I've offered you all my attention or energy. Sometimes I'm tempted to do all those things.

For the next ten weeks and the rest of the time I'm on earth, I will be in the stands as your biggest fan, cheering you on! Praying these things for you!

All my love - Momma