be kind.

One thing that we try to really impress upon our girls' hearts is that it is always important to be kind.

Harlee and my niece Riley are at basketball church camp this week.  

When we dropped them off, I made sure to have my teacher-y moment with them about how to treat other people.

"Girls, you're very lucky to have each other here, but not everyone will have a friend.  Include those people.  Invite them into your group.  Be kind to them."

To be honest, I probably didn't even need to tell them this.

These girls have beautiful hearts.  They love others and show kindness every day.

I'm just not sure that children understand the power that can be found in a simple invitation to someone to join them on the playground, in the classroom, and yes...at summer camp.

Jen Hatmaker, in her amazing book, For the Love, talks about just this in a letter she writes to her children.

She says, ​“You’d be surprised how powerful kindness actually is. I am not being dramatic: you can save hearts and lives with grace."

I think as a public school teacher, I see this in action so often.  
On the playground.
In the cafeteria.
At a ballgame.

Students leave people out without thinking.  They sit by only the kids they have known their whole lives.  They spend time in the friendships they are comfortable with and don't always step outside the box to invite others in.

I don't think they are purposely trying to be exclusive, but I also think it's important to talk about this with our children.

Kids just want to be seen.
Adults just want to be seen.

People just want to be seen.  And heard.  And loved.

​Friends, we have a great opportunity to "be the good" in this broken and scary world.

We have the power to show love.
To offer friendship.
To invite people in.
To share an encouraging word.

To be kind.

Let's take every opportunity to do just that.

And let's teach our kids to do the same...today and every day. ❤️