Many years ago, a ruling elder taught me the difference between being nice and being kind. She served on the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery and was the chairperson of that committee. She had to deal with and navigate some sticky and hard situations involving pastors and congregants.
Being nice would mean that one would avoid telling the truth in order not to offend a person or group or cut them some slack when an individual had previously been granted that grace. Being kind, on the other hand, is telling the truth and telling the truth unvarnished. It does not beat around the bush and instead invites people to be responsible for their actions and to accept the consequences.
Do you in your life have friends or family members like that? Do you have fellow travelers in this adventure we call the Christian life who know you and know you well and that they know the difference between being nice and being kind to you? If you do, bless them greatly and do everything you can to keep them. They will speak truth to you whether you receive it well or not. They will speak truth to you at the cost of their friendship or relationship with you. They will speak truth to you when others around you will not.
If you do not have friends or family members like that, cultivate and pursue them. Do everything you can to surround yourself with such people. They will serve you well, and your life as a Christ follower will be enriched and better for it.
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Jesse