Anyone who knows me, knows I love country music. Lately, this song has really hit home.
Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw
I love the verse that says,
"Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind"
Always stay humble and kind. This sentence is simple, but following it's meaning may be a little trickier. In seminary a couple weeks ago, we talked about the attributes we think would make a King great. Words were put on the board such as, 'popular', 'loyal', 'trustworthy', 'outgoing', etc. And while all these qualities would make a great king, I want to focus on the words 'humble' and 'kind'. In my opinion, I think a great king would be both of those things.
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the simple definition of humble is this:
Humble
adjective hum·ble \ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm-\
- : not proud : not thinking of yourself as better than other people
- : given or said in a way that shows you do not think you are better than other people
- : showing that you do not think of yourself as better than other people
Humility is so important. This world is full of very proud people. Girls who are proud of their $200 shoes, how their make-up is perfectly "contoured", or even just the amount of friends they have. Life has turned into one big competition. A competition to have the best hair, the most likes, and the most retweets. Humility is doing something kind for someone and not having to put it on social media for recognition. Humility is wearing make-up because you want to feel pretty, not because the girl next to you is wearing it. Humility is looking for ways to serve, without a thought of what you'll receive in return. Humility is helping, not because you're better than them, but because you can.
kind
adjective \ˈkīnd\Simple Definition of kind
: having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others : wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others.
Humble and kind go together like chips and salsa. Kindness is helping others, not because you have to, but because you want to. When I think back to the moments that mean the most to me, they all begin with kindness. So the next time someone cuts you off or someone forgets to put the milk in the fridge and you feel yourself start to get angry; remember, kindness changes everything and it begins with you. Learn to have a desire to help others, as well as learn to genuinely like bringing happiness to others, because in return, you will also feel that happiness.
A great king is loyal, trustworthy, and honest; but more than that, he is humble and he is kind. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the perfect example of a king who was humble and kind. A man so humble, He washed feet and cleansed the sick who had been shunned from all others. A man so kind, He dedicated His entire life to serving others. A man who chose to be humble and kind even when everyone was against Him. When He was surrounded by pride and hatred, He never changed who He was; a man, who was always Humble and Kind.
Always be Humble and Kind.
-Cort
Ephesians 4:32"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Doctrine & Covenants 112:10"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."
Ether 12:27"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
