Kind When the Cousins Pile In

Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Wednesday. Quick question before we roll. Have you ever had your house get loud and crowded all of a sudden, like a crew of cousins piled in, and part of you was excited and part of you just wanted your space back? I'm Pastor Justin. So glad you're with us today. Family can be the easiest people to love and to get annoyed with, sometimes in the same five minutes. So let's talk about how to handle that. Here's the one thing to remember for the ride: put on kindness like clothes, especially with family. Listen to Colossians 3:12. "Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Did you catch those two words, put on? Same as you put on a shirt in the morning. Kindness isn't just a feeling that shows up. It's something you choose to wear, even when you don't feel like it. You don't wait until you feel patient to be patient. You put it on, like clothes, and wear it. And the people you get the most chances to practice on are usually right in your own house. If Jesus were standing in the hallway with you while the house filled up with cousins, He would put a hand on your shoulder and say, "I know it's a lot right now. Put kindness on anyway. You'll be glad you did, and so will they. I'll help you wear it." The cousins come for a summer visit and your house goes from quiet to wild in ten minutes. The little one gets into your stuff and knocks over the thing you'd lined up just right. You want to snap. But you take a breath, put kindness on like a jacket, and say, "Hey, come here, let's build it back together." That one choice changes the afternoon. That's wearing it. This week, a couple things to try. First, next time family gets to be a lot, picture kindness like a jacket and put it on before you say anything. Second, when that snap comes, whisper, "God, help me wear kindness right now." Third, a heart one. Ask yourself, am I only kind when it's easy, or will I wear it on the hard days too? Let's go back to that one thing for the ride. Put on kindness like clothes, especially with family. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, want to surprise your kid by name on a future episode? You can book a shout-out at carpoolingwithjesus.com. Picture their face when they hear their name through the speakers. And if your family wants the weekend episodes too, they're waiting in Carpooling with Jesus+, right in the app you're using. Before you go, let's answer this together. Who in your family is God giving you the most chances to be kind to right now? I love you, Carpool Crew. I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.