April 10, 2025

Do the Write Kind Thing by Steph Beth Nickel

 

Photo Credit: ImaginationAlchemist on pixabay[dot]com

This month’s theme is “Small Acts of Kindness.”

As writers, we are well equipped to do so on a regular basis. I remember being handed a card at a church ladies’ event several years ago and being told, “Here, you write something. You always know what to say.”

Of course, in that moment, my mind went blank, but given some time to think on it, I would have come up with something.

There are countless ways we can use our words in uplifting, encouraging ways, in kind ways. Below are just a few of those ways:
1. Send an “I’m thinking of you” text to someone who comes to mind. This is especially encouraging if the other person is going through a difficult time. Sometimes, just a few words can make a big difference. (It’s also good when you don’t know exactly how to help or what to say.)

2.You can do the same using one of the many virtual options, such as Facebook’s Messenger. For an added level of connectedness, Messenger’s audio option or an app such as Voxer or WhatsApp means you can record your message to your friend or family member.

3. And for a more old school approach, why not drop a physical card in the mail—one with a brief personalized message? (If you prefer, you can send a free ecard from an online site such as such as dayspring.com)

4. Receiving brief notes and handwritten letters are a nice change from junk mail, pretty much the only thing that arrives in our mailboxes these days. Even bills come to our email inbox.

5. Do you remember the fun of sending (or receiving) an anonymous note? Whether signed or unsigned, it’s encouraging to receive a note of appreciation.

6. If you’re on social media, why not consider posting messages (and graphics) that will bring a smile to your readers’ face? While many people have left social media because of all the negativity that filled their feed, we who are still there can change that by creating positive, encouraging posts (and commenting on and/or responding to posts that bring a smile to our face).
A quick caveat…

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes kindness means challenging our readers. We must remember how God treats those He loves. He corrects us as needed, and that doesn’t always feel great at the time.

So, whether our message is “light and fluffy” or “challenging and heavy,” we can share the message in a kind way. Let’s seek to do so—and remember that it takes time to earn the right to present the latter type of message to our readers.

Small (and not-so-small) acts of kindness will go a long way to encouraging others and making them receptive to even challenging messages motivated by love.

What small act of kindness will you perform today?



Steph Beth Nickel is the former Editor of FellowScript and the current InScribe Contest Coordinator. Steph is an editor and author and plans to relocate to Saskatchewan from Ontario to be close to family in 2025 or 2026. (Headshot Photo Credit: Jaime Mellor Photography)


7 comments:

  1. What a handy list of ideas for writing encouraging and kind words. Thank you, Steph, for the reminder to use our words kindly when possible. I liked your graphic at the top, too.

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  2. Anonymous1:43 pm GMT-7

    I agree with you 100% Steph Beth Nickel, about writing supportive and encouraging notes to others. I also agree that sometimes we need to say something that is more direct when we see the need for that, but, as Christians, we must choose our words carefully. I think of examples of Jesus conversing with people, who were not considered the pillars of the community. He didn't defend their sinful living, but he was still direct with them. A few examples would be Jesus conversing with the Samaritan woman at the well; his interaction with Zacchaeus; or with the rich young man, Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night.J

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  3. Sorry, Steph Beth, that was me, Sharon Espeseth in the comment above. I so agree with you. Sometimes it takes time and high level thinking to say the right thing, but I think we all appreciate comments that encourage and sometimes redirect our thinking.

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  4. Great stuff, Steph! Thank you

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  5. Thank you, Steph! Using written words to express kindness means much. I cherish certain notes written for me, and keep them to re-read at difficult times.

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  6. Thanks for these ideas on spreading kindness with our words, Steph. You picked up where I left off in my earlier post.

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