My grandson who loved to give hugs even at the big age of five decided to give my daughter the cold shoulder as she dropped him off at kindergarten. He woke up feeling a bit grumpy and not wanting to cooperate with her. This only left one option and that was a good talking to about behaving differently or consequences were going to happen.

As to be expected this did not go over well. So, as she dropped him off, she bent down and asked for a hug. He then said in a very loud voice “no” and walked to get in line. All the other kids in his class witnessed this. They got out of line and piled on top of my daughter trying to give her hugs.

She told me this out of concern for the “stranger danger” aspect and I totally understand that, but what I took from it got me thinking.

Those little children heard that she needed a hug. They saw she bent down in hopes of getting one and then they heard the “no” and watched her son walk away. They could have just turned and walked into the classroom with some just feeling bad for her.

They didn’t just feel bad; they took action and gave her what they could. They gave her what they heard and saw that she needed.

Why is it that when we grow up, we tend to only see the “stranger danger” and not the need? Because of the fear of the stranger, the need is not met. I understand we need to be wise, but how many times—myself included—do we let our fear get in the way of encouraging others?

Children often respond with pure compassion. They are not overthinking motives, worrying about how they will look, or wondering if their kindness will be misunderstood. They simply see someone who needs comfort and they give it.

Somewhere along the way, adulthood teaches us to hold back. We hesitate to offer the kind word, the hug, the smile, or the encouragement because we are unsure how it will be received. Yet scripture reminds us again and again that our words and actions have the power to lift someone who may be carrying more than we realize.

Proverbs 12:25 reminds us,
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

A simple act of kindness can lighten a heavy heart. It doesn’t have to be big or dramatic. Sometimes it is just noticing someone and offering a moment of encouragement.

Ephesians 4:1–3 calls us to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love toward one another. When we choose to respond to others with compassion instead of suspicion, we help create the kind of unity and peace that these verses describe.

And 1 Thessalonians 5:11 gives us a very clear instruction:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Encouragement is not meant to be rare. It is meant to be part of our everyday lives.

Maybe we can learn something from those kindergarten children. Maybe the world would feel a little lighter if we were quicker to notice the needs around us and brave enough to respond with kindness.

We may not always know the perfect thing to say or do, but we can always offer encouragement, a smile, a kind word, or a moment of compassion.

Sometimes the smallest acts of love are the very things someone needed most.

I’m not really a Star Wars fan, and I know I probably lost some followers by saying that, but it never has been my kind of movie. I watched the original first three and yes even the new ones. I can see a lot of lessons to be learned from them as well, but I am not one of those that watch them over and over. I have waited in a very long line for the movie but that is the price a mom pays when her children love the movie, and they actually want to see it with their mom.

That being said I was in the kitchen cooking away. I usually like to cook with music, but this time the TV was on and in the background was none other than Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

As I cooked, I overheard the familiar dialogue and knew what was going to happen just by listening. But as I listened to the familiar sound of Darth Vader, I couldn’t help but enjoy listening to the very famous voice of James Earl Jones. I think he has one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood.

I got to thinking of an interview I once saw with him talking about how when he was a little boy he wouldn’t even talk because he had such a severe stutter. Barely speaking for eight long years must have been incredibly hard. But could you imagine if he had decided to stay quiet? We would never have heard such a powerful, recognizable voice that brings the characters he portrays to life.

It made me think about how often the things we struggle with the most are the very things that shape who we become.

Sometimes the challenge we wish would disappear is actually the very thing God uses to build strength, compassion, wisdom, or courage within us. The struggle may not feel like a gift in the moment but looking back we often see how it prepared us for something bigger.

I find it fascinating that the Bible is filled with stories like this. Over and over again God takes what people see as weakness and turns it into something meaningful and powerful.

Moses struggled with speaking.
David was the overlooked shepherd boy.
Paul carried his “thorn in the flesh.”

Yet God used each of them in ways they probably never imagined.

So, when we find ourselves facing challenges that feel overwhelming, it helps to remember that our struggles are not wasted. In fact, they might be the very place where God’s strength shows up the most.

2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us of this beautifully:

*”But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may