In the past, I’ve referred to him as “Wavy.”  I should have called him “Davy.”  Or maybe best of all – “Wavy Davy.”

Technically, he told me his name is David.  (A fine name, by the way!)  I’m not sure if he would approve of using Davy instead.  Almost certainly he wouldn’t want to be called “Wavy Davy.”

But that name describes him wonderfully!

I’d see him peddling his 3-wheeled bike toward us on our street, and I’d tell anyone with me, “Get ready to wave.  Here comes Wavy.”  And sure enough.  Without fail, he would wave to us as we passed each other.

I don’t know David’s story.  I do know that he rides his bike around our extended neighborhood almost non-stop.  I’ve waved back to him at all times of day … and even after dark!  Nor is he deterred by the weather.  Once when my wife and I were out for a walk and got surprised by a rainstorm, David rode by and stated, “A little rain won’t hurt us, will it?”  We were in a hurry to get to cover; he wasn’t.  He simply continued merrily on his way.

I can’t even imagine how many miles he’s peddled through the years.  Though he must log an incredible amount of distance every day, he doesn’t need much for his travels.  There’s a basket mounted behind his seat and between the two back wheels.  In it he carries a water bottle, a plastic bag (for snacks, I presume), and sometimes a little tan dog.

It’s difficult to gauge his age.  Perhaps he’s in his thirties.  What is clear is that David doesn’t look at life like most people.  Whether he was born that way or is the victim of an accident somewhere along the way isn’t important.  What is important is that David is indiscriminately kind. 

He doesn’t care what kind of vehicle you are driving – 4-wheeled pickup, sports car, family van, or Amish buggy – he always waves.  Gender, age, skin-color, occupation, or social status doesn’t matter to him either.  Davy will wave to all.  If the person he happens to be passing isn’t in a vehicle, he’ll be sure to add a spoken “Hi” to his wave.

While it is true that we now live in a smaller town in the rural Midwest, and that people in general are friendly and often waving … even to strangers, David takes it to a higher level.  He will not be deterred; he WILL wave to you.  Doesn’t matter how he feels or where he is.  Doesn’t matter how you look or what you are doing or whether you wish to be greeted.  Dave will wave to you.

This past summer when our entire family was at the park at the end of our street, David spotted some children’s shoes by the playground.  He made a point to ask us about them; he didn’t want us to forget them if they belonged to the children in our group.

Indiscriminately kind.

If only more people could be that way! 

It seems to me that more and more we are seeing less and less kindness in our society.  Patience is becoming rarer; rudeness more common.  Selfishness tends to predominate; thoughtfulness for others languishes.  Aggressiveness is exalted; humility despised.  Grudges are nursed; forgiveness refused.

Furthermore, it seems that though “tolerance” is promoted, the promoters themselves are in many ways less tolerant of different points of view.  “My way or the highway” is largely embraced.  And if one doesn’t see it the same way as another, verbal attacks are sure to occur.  (If you doubt this, consider the current political climate!  The same, sadly, is true of our nation’s moral climate.)

Imagine how drastically different things would be if everyone was indiscriminately kind!  That’s what our Lord urges us to be. 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Of course, these words were written to believers, and they remind us of God’s love, kindness, and the forgiveness won for us by Jesus.  We’ve been trained by the Lord; He is our example!  And he’s the one we honor when we are kind.

But as the numbers of those who don’t know the Lord continue to increase, so will kindness continue to decrease.  Fewer recognize ultimate love and true kindness learned only through a relationship with Love personified. 

Which means it becomes increasingly important that you and I reflect the love of God in our dealings … not only with fellow Christians, but with everyone.  Even to those who are unkind to us.  Even to those who hate us.  Even to our enemies!  (Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:14-21).

Our Savior described us this way: “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

You and I … we are the only lights that this dark (and growing darker) world will see.  The Lord’s light shines in us and through us.  We are bearers of God’s glorious and glowing Gospel.  So, fellow lights, let us shine brightly! 

It begins by being indiscriminately kind.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Galatians 5
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 13
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.

Romans 12
⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5
⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.