I found lots of kindness among the' rank and file'. How many got involved solely on the accuracy of da word ? The warmth and caring of the people is what initially made it attractive, and something to want to be a part of.
The higher up the tree one got, the more qualities like kindness became squelched. To be 'kind' was to be a 'wimp'. You want to show kindness? Confont them with the Word. As the years rolled on, and the hard nosed, confrontational lifestyle began to dominate, being kind almost became an underground act, so the local branch or limb leader wouldn't find out you were being 'wussy' with people.
I find two points here that seem to fit with the testimony I have seen, not only on this thread but in general over the years. Kindness seemed to proliferate more among the lower echelons, and seemed to be squelched more in general "as the years rolled on".
In the corps I tried to surprise people with gifts from our great financial resources (?!) on a few occasions. Sometimes I wouldnt get any feedback, a couple times I did. My favorite feedback involved a Snoopy lamp during my Interim WOW year in Philly 1978-79.
One act that I considered "kind" (though not everyone might have, heh heh) was in the fall of 1979 at HQ when Mrs. W. gave us corps men permission to raid the Wierwille home (VPW was away at the time) while the women were having a nacho party; we even got some traiterous kind help from Naomi T.
I married the kindest, gentlest man I ever met. We were in TWI in Ohio Fellow Laborers. I had come off the WOW field after a rough year. He was funny, warm, kind...I ran into some legalism in FLO and one morning I came to his door, rang the doorbell, and when he answered I just put my head on his shoulder and cried, said thanks I feel better and went back to the apt when I lived. He could rescue anyone's houseplant that was dying.
The year after we were married and were living in Athens, OH, this couple got in trouble with the anal retentive 7th WC who was our BL, and they were told not to come to twig until they did whatever it was he wanted. He was being his usual hardhearted self, so we invited them over for dinner and just talked to them in a kind and reasonable way. They were comforted and everything was okay. He told them they could come to our twig anytime.
I experienced a lot of kindness during TWI-years with the many wonderful people that would cross my path. However it did seem like it became more of a fleeting virtue as time went on…Or maybe it was because The Way had a way of getting in the way of kindness. I was thinking about WordWolf's describing the governing factor behind our kindness:
Although it always seemed (& felt) like there were NO CONDITIONS on anything we did for each other, it's probable that it was TIERED- that we were that good to people in the group or entering the group, but if you weren't interested, then you weren't treated quite as nice.
It's a sad thing isn't it – when an organization grows on you…literally…like an infection…to stifle any sympathetic expression…Maybe getting into TWI it was mostly about what I can do to help people – but slowly - however an organization worked its mojo on my service ethic – it mutated into what can I do to help TWI…But tell yah what – maybe that's why anytime I experienced kindness from another TWIt – it was SUCH A BREATH of FRESH AIR!
There is a famous story of George Washington that goes like this.
As a general, with his coat covering the insignia of his rank, Washington was
riding past a detail where a corporal was commanding his men to lift a fallen
tree. Washington could see the tree was beyond their capacity. The corporal was
shouting at his men and commanding them to heave ho. The louder he shouted the
less the men were inspired to work.
Since they could not move the tree Washington dismounted and quickly walked over
and with his strong and tall body gave the tree a quick push in unison with the
detail --- the tree was moved.
Turning to the corporal Washington asked, “Why did you not help your men?” The
corporal said, “Don’t you see that I am a corporal and these men are privates?”
George Washington humbly opened his coat and said, “Yes sir, I see that you are
a corporal, but I wish for you to see that I am the general."
Now that’s the way I see Jesus in my life. He is God and surely the General of
my life --- but when I have a mountain in my life that stands in the way of our
friendship --- I just ask him for help. Jesus comes off His thrown and helps me
move the mountain restoring our friendship.
... and I would say when we offer the kind kind of helpfulness of the Lord, He is there.
(I did have someone once ask if I was an angel, I said, "Sweetheart, you can rest assured I am jsut a person. I have bad teeth, I'm hard of hearing, and other physical defects. I never heard of an angel with these. I have heard of all kinds of angels but never one with falling apart body parts and other heartaches.")
Many confuse kindness with acting nice. Many twi's act nice. But true kindness is an action. For instance Way Corps are supposed to be the true servants. But the opposite is true. They are the ones getting all the service. For instance our area Corps leadership reproved all the believers in the area becasue they had to wash their own floor one time. He said his gift ministry was suffering because he should have had that time to study. Another time the Corps leadership were moving and everyone was expected to be there to help. But when I moved no one showed up. After we moved in the Corps leadership showed up all dressed up nice to inspect our new place. They were real nice about it though-LOL
Recommended Posts
Kit Sober
Del, too.
So many good ones who showed me the face of Jesus Christ who got eaten alive by twi.
My voice is with those in Revelation 6:10 who call for revenge.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lifted Up
I find two points here that seem to fit with the testimony I have seen, not only on this thread but in general over the years. Kindness seemed to proliferate more among the lower echelons, and seemed to be squelched more in general "as the years rolled on".
In the corps I tried to surprise people with gifts from our great financial resources (?!) on a few occasions. Sometimes I wouldnt get any feedback, a couple times I did. My favorite feedback involved a Snoopy lamp during my Interim WOW year in Philly 1978-79.
One act that I considered "kind" (though not everyone might have, heh heh) was in the fall of 1979 at HQ when Mrs. W. gave us corps men permission to raid the Wierwille home (VPW was away at the time) while the women were having a nacho party; we even got some traiterous kind help from Naomi T.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kit Sober
I think kindhearted people don't have a clue about how the other half lives.
I had one person I have tried to befriend over the years,and the only thing that surprises me is the cruelty they think is entertaining and/or funny.
I now think that's how people live vpw gathered such nice people around him. We didn't have a clue.
But still we don't have a clue of what he did / how he did it because our minds just don't fathom it.
We are color-blind to the vile thinking (plagiarism, sexual perversion et al just weren't in our list of "what is going on here").
I can so easily see Mrs. Wierwille having a nice time above -- just enjoying a good time having fun.
If vpeee was around it wouldn't have been nice at all.
I think she just didn't have a clue because she was kindhearted.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Watered Garden
I married the kindest, gentlest man I ever met. We were in TWI in Ohio Fellow Laborers. I had come off the WOW field after a rough year. He was funny, warm, kind...I ran into some legalism in FLO and one morning I came to his door, rang the doorbell, and when he answered I just put my head on his shoulder and cried, said thanks I feel better and went back to the apt when I lived. He could rescue anyone's houseplant that was dying.
The year after we were married and were living in Athens, OH, this couple got in trouble with the anal retentive 7th WC who was our BL, and they were told not to come to twig until they did whatever it was he wanted. He was being his usual hardhearted self, so we invited them over for dinner and just talked to them in a kind and reasonable way. They were comforted and everything was okay. He told them they could come to our twig anytime.
That's the way my hero lives his life. Eph 4:32.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TheInvisibleDan
It is interesting that the earliest known variant for the spelling of "Christ" in circulation among
the earliest Christians (reflected in ancient inscriptions and various manuscripts) was "Krestus",
meaning the Kind One, the Benevolent One.
Jesus was known primarily through "kindness", so much so that it became the very term attached to Him,
prior to the "Christ" (messianic) stuff which took hold.
Danny
Edited by TheInvisibleDanLink to comment
Share on other sites
excathedra
wow danny thank you. i never knew that. it really touches my heart and makes sense
Link to comment
Share on other sites
T-Bone
I experienced a lot of kindness during TWI-years with the many wonderful people that would cross my path. However it did seem like it became more of a fleeting virtue as time went on…Or maybe it was because The Way had a way of getting in the way of kindness. I was thinking about WordWolf's describing the governing factor behind our kindness:
It's a sad thing isn't it – when an organization grows on you…literally…like an infection…to stifle any sympathetic expression…Maybe getting into TWI it was mostly about what I can do to help people – but slowly - however an organization worked its mojo on my service ethic – it mutated into what can I do to help TWI…But tell yah what – maybe that's why anytime I experienced kindness from another TWIt – it was SUCH A BREATH of FRESH AIR!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kit Sober
Received in email today, and thought it fit here
... and I would say when we offer the kind kind of helpfulness of the Lord, He is there.(I did have someone once ask if I was an angel, I said, "Sweetheart, you can rest assured I am jsut a person. I have bad teeth, I'm hard of hearing, and other physical defects. I never heard of an angel with these. I have heard of all kinds of angels but never one with falling apart body parts and other heartaches.")
Link to comment
Share on other sites
excathedra
i've also wondered if you are an angel, dear sweet kit....
now there's a surprise
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jim
Beautiful words, Kit.
Thanks.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
polar bear
Many confuse kindness with acting nice. Many twi's act nice. But true kindness is an action. For instance Way Corps are supposed to be the true servants. But the opposite is true. They are the ones getting all the service. For instance our area Corps leadership reproved all the believers in the area becasue they had to wash their own floor one time. He said his gift ministry was suffering because he should have had that time to study. Another time the Corps leadership were moving and everyone was expected to be there to help. But when I moved no one showed up. After we moved in the Corps leadership showed up all dressed up nice to inspect our new place. They were real nice about it though-LOL
Edited by polar bearLink to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.