Good People Are Just Good People

One of the things I miss most at this time of the year is the excitement and anticipation that consumed my children as they eagerly awaited the arrival of Christmas morning. The three of them could barely sleep the night before, and I remember wondering if perhaps they may have crept down the stairs to try to take a peek at what had been placed under the tree for them (which is why I started getting up really early to stock the tree). Here's the thing ... I wanted my kids to be surprised on Christmas morning ... the surprise element was always part of the fun for me. Watching my children's eyes open wide and their mouths drop as they squealed in surprise and delight was absolutely the best part of the day for me.

I think many of you will be able to relate to the following words ... I've grown jaded and perhaps even somewhat cynical as I've aged in regard to being truly surprised by much of anything in life anymore. It's rare that something really takes my breath away or causes my eyes to widen in surprise and delight, really rare, in fact. But every once in a while ... every once in a while, something or someone truly takes me by surprise and makes me stop and marvel at the wonder of what's going on around me. And that's exactly what's happened over the last few months ... I've been surprised time and time again ... I've been surprised time and time again not by gifts or presents, I've been surprised by people. More accurately, I've been surprised by the hearts of people ... I've been surprised by the huge amount of love and compassion that so many of those hearts have demonstrated to me.

If I haven't learned anything else over the last few months, I've learned in a mighty and surprising way that God often uses the very people I would least expect to be His messengers of grace and mercy in my life. I've learned that it doesn't matter if people are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, healthy or ill, believers or unbelievers ... what matters are the hearts that beat within them. I've learned that good people are just good people, and I've learned that good people have good hearts. I've learned that good hearts prove themselves over and over again. I've learned that good people are just good people and they do what they don't have to do ... they do what isn't required or demanded of them ... they do what they do because they have good hearts that choose love and loyalty over hate and condemnation. Good people are caring ... good people are supportive ... good people are encouraging ... good people are loving. Good people are just good people. Period. Good people aren't defined by race or religion or creed or beliefs ... good people refuse to be defined by those attributes. Good people step outside of themselves in order to help a fellow traveler ... good people are defined by love and love alone.

Over the last couple of days, some of those good people have shown me their hearts ... they have shown me their hearts in ways that have had a deep impact on me. Those good people most likely don't realize how deeply they have touched my wounded spirit or how much they have soothed my troubled mind. From the words, "I love you, Terrie," to the words, "I'm not going anywhere, Terrie," to the words, "You can do this, friend,"  to the words, "I know you will be OK," to hugs and notes and emails and messages, those good people have surprised me with their hearts ... those good people have surprised me with their love and encouragement and acceptance and compassion and concern.

Good people are just good people, friends. Good people are just good people. Period.