Today, I was looking for some fresh jams as I was driving through the congested 5:15 Lakeshore Drive traffic and I ran across this song on an old mix CD. (I wish I were cool enough to have had it on a mix tape. Deduct 10 points from my "cool kid" scoreboard.) 

Coolness aside, this song is all about kindness. With the recurring line "Always lift him up, and never knock him down." Not, "When you're in a good mood, lift him up, and when it will make you look good, knock him down." Not "Lift him up if it's convenient" or "When you see him, share some kind words and a smile." but "ALWAYS lift him up, and NEVER knock him down."

Digging further in the history of my life, I realized where I first heard this song. I heard this song on a retreat my senior year of high school. It was the song that a friend had chosen to follow his talk about the topic of "Christian love." I've heard and read many of my friends's talks about the subject, and without fail, the person or situation that they've chosen to discuss in their talk has always been a great example of kindness. Whether it was found in the kindness of others in a time of need, or in the sense of urgency in becoming a kind and loving friend, neighbor, or stranger, or in the kindness of a merciful and loving God...Kindness was always found. And Kindness was always associated with love. And kindness was always associated with Christian love.

Be a light. Be kind. Love. Always.