There’s a television show I have heard about but never watched. It’s called “Hoarders.” The show is about people who never throw anything away. Their homes must look like a train wreck happened in them.

We throw money away. We throw trash out. But there are people who have been thrown away by their families and friends. Recently I read about a child whose parents rejected him because he told them he was gay. This is a tragedy of epic proportions. Another child out in the world who has to find a way to survive on his own. There are many stories of similar situations. Too many.

Many inmates I have spent time with have been shamed by their families. Not only are they in prison, they have no one pulling for them. They feel alone and lost.

I believe in restoration and redemption. All of us have made mistakes. I lead the field in doing colossally stupid things during my life. But I’m not trapped in the prison of my past. Neither are you.

Jesus dined with prostitutes and tax collectors. He physically embraced lepers. The hopeless were shown kindness, grace and forgiveness. No one was turned away.

Be kind to others. People are carrying around stresses and strains we don’t know about. Your simple kindness might be their last, best hope…