simple act of kindness

Be a kind voice

in this broken-hearted world.

Give grace,

and be ready to receive it.

Listen so well

that the person you're with

can rest

in your loving attention

for a moment.

Be a light. Be a light. Be a light.

Nanea Hoffman

---

Hello friend,

A few days ago we came across these words from Nanea Hoffman. Our favorite line is:

"Listen so well that the person you're with can rest in your loving attention for a moment."

We couldn’t help but think how healing it could be if each of us offered that kind of loving attention to just one person today. It might surprise you how many people would quietly admit that they've rarely, if ever, felt truly listened to. Giving that kind of presence is a sacred kindness.

We've been on the receiving end of sacred kindness from friends and family these past many months. And now we’re finally able to come back here and be with you. We never imagined we'd be away this long.

When we go quiet like this, it usually means we’ve been walking through a much tougher season. Thank you for being here with us! We've sure missed you.

---

Years ago, Greg wrote a song for a dramatic scene in a service at Willow—

Simple Act of Kindness—about the healing effect of everyday random acts of kindness on the human heart.

Years later, New Hope Oahu and Wayne Cordeiro's team produced the video you'll see below, using the live track of Greg singing it at that service .

We hope this will inspire us all to keep doing good in this turbulent world as best as we can.

Sometimes, it’s the

smallest thing

that gets you

through the day:

Groceries showing up

at your door

when you

didn’t even ask.

Someone remembering

the date

you always dread.

Hearing,

“Take your time—

I’m not in a rush.”

A meal left for you

after a really hard day.

A text that says,

“I don’t know all

you’re carrying,

but I care deeply

and I'm praying for you.”

We don’t always know what someone else is carrying.

We can’t always see how close they are to giving up hope.

But God knows. And often He chooses to remind us we’re not alone—through each other.

Sometimes that reminder looks really simple:

showing up,

noticing,

listening,

staying a little longer than you planned.

It might not seem like much to you, but it can make a world of difference.

Jacine Ardern—the former Prime Minister of New Zealand—is well known for her kindness, empathy and strength. She writes;

"Kindness has a power and a strength that almost nothing else on this planet has. I've seen kindness do extraordinary things. I've seen it give people hope. I've seen it change minds and transform lives"

---

God has made it plain to you what is best.

He has shown you what he really is longing for from you—

to promote justice, to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Let our eyes be open to those in need.

Let our hands be ready to respond.

Let our hearts reflect Yours—full of mercy and compassion.

Use even our smallest actions to write redemption into someone else’s story.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

---

Greg wrote this song out of a conviction that kindness really can change the course of a life. Here are the full lyrics:

Simple Act of Kindness - Lyrics

well i don't know if you could see

there was a soul inside of me

if not for the kindness of a friend

well maybe now you couldn't tell

but i'd be just an empty shell

if not for the kindness of a friend

i know how dark a human heart can be

out there

i was so far gone

i thought that no one could ever see me

i would be a lost and broken man

if it weren't for the reaching of a hand

i'd be on that dark and lonely road

a simple act of kindness brought me home

it wasn't all that long ago

i would have thrown away my soul

if not for the kindness of a friend

and now and then

i feel the sting of almost losing everything

if not for the kindness of a friend

i know how dark a human heart can be

out there

now i know compassion was

the only thing that could free me

i would be a lost and broken man

if it weren't for the reaching of a hand

i'd be on that dark and lonely road

a simple act of kindness brought me home

and now i'm glad i'm here

and that i'm free

to pass along what someone

gave to me

a simple act of kindness found me

a simple act of kindness saved me

---

If you're new here, welcome! We're so glad you found our little corner of the internet.

We'd love for you to join us as we make things with words and music. Ultimately, what we share is about each of us on a journey of becoming more like Jesus. 

We look forward to connecting with you and journeying together!

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With love, peace and hope...

Greg & Corinne (and Heidi)