Sonnie Bain has written our blog for today. May you find it an encouragement about the great hospitality in our groups and a challenge to begin inviting the lost and searching into our communities to experience that kindness of Christ. Thank you, Sonnie, for taking such good care of our groups and loving our leaders well.
Paul Wilkinson, Adult Minister–Groups Associate
A few years ago, Williamson County schools adopted the simple mantra, “BE NICE.” It started at Fairview High School as a way to create a culture of kindness in their school. After witnessing the success, the school district expanded the message to all 44 county schools. What a wonderful character trait to teach our young people – to practice kindness in their everyday lives. They made bumper stickers, they created T-shirts, and they took great pride in working together to create a movement that started showing up all across social media and around the world. In fact, September has been declared “BE NICE Month” in Williamson County.
I remember how this movement transformed our community when it started and grew. I wonder what would happen if the adults created that type of movement. Children have a special wonder and excitement that we should all try to emulate from time to time.
As I have been visiting Sunday morning LIFE Groups, I have seen how the “BE NICE” mantra is revealed in our people. It shows up in the way they take care of their own. They know their fellow class members very well, they are a part of each other’s lives, and they support and care for one another. It was fascinating to see how involved they were in the relationships within that group. They knew how and what to pray for when their people were going through loss or grief. They kept up with each other’s burdens, whether they involved health, finances, relationships or just living. They also shared in praises for the ways God has worked in their lives.
So, thank you to the leaders and teachers of our LIFE Groups, for loving your groups and working to make community so important. I applaud the class members for loving each other well. I will certainly keep visiting, as I have enjoyed meeting you and being a part of your groups.
Keep up the good work that God has started in you and, above all, BE NICE.