And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

— Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Kindness can be easy to imagine when I have plenty of time. It asks more of me when I’m in a hurry and somebody needs another explanation or a few minutes of help.

Picture someone struggling with a task I find familiar. I can take over and finish it quickly, or I can slow down enough to let them try while I’m there. The second choice may leave them feeling more comfortable asking next time.

The word “tenderhearted” stays with me here. I want to remember that I may only be seeing one difficult moment in somebody else’s day. A gentle answer is something I can offer before I know the whole story.