“Nothing beats kindness, it sits quietly beyond all things.”

― Charlie Mackesy

This Fall, I visited family in my home state at a beach enclave called Debordieu, or as we say in South Carolina, “Debidue.” In 1777, the Marquis de Lafayette, traveling from France visited the coast of S.C. and proclaimed he had discovered D’abord Dieu, “the borderland of God.” I think he just might have been right!

On my first morning, I got up early before the kids and went for a jog down the main beach road of Debordieu. To my surprise, every single person who passed me, whether in a car, golf cart, bike, or on foot waved to me. Some also smiled and offered a friendly “Good morning.” I felt like I was back running the ½ marathon with supporters cheering my every mile. Later that afternoon, I took the boys out for a bike ride. Again, the same thing happened. Waves, smiles and hellos like we were somebody special. The next day, my mom and I walked on the beach. Again, we received a plenitude of waves and friendly greetings. On our last night, I asked our server at dinner. “The strangest thing has happened over the weekend. Everyone waves and smiles at us. Is this normal?”

She laughed and said, “Yes, that is the Debordieu Way!”

I came back to Nashville and decided to quietly conduct my own science project. What would happen if I started greeting every person I passed with a Debordieu wave, a warm smile, a friendly “Good Morning?” First thing Monday morning, jogging my normal route around Radnor Lake, I waved to every person I passed. You should have seen the surprise on their faces, wondering, “Do I know her?” I did the same thing on Tuesday on a hike at Percy Warner Park, Wednesday on my grocery run to Trader Joe’s, and later in the week in the stands of my daughter’s soccer game. In the thick of Nashville 5 o’clock gridlock traffic, I gave an encouraging thumbs up to the person unhappily sitting stand still next to me. She cracked a smile. Had I discovered the honey hole for hope….kindness?

The next week, my project: “Bring Debordieu to Nashville”continued. I extended a wave, a hello, or a friendly greeting to every person who crossed my path. It was amazing to watch their faces soften. My daring enthusiasm even made one older gentleman walking his spotted Daschund in the neighborhood to offer me a bow. My hypothesis was proven. We, humanity, thrive on regular doses of kindness. At church the following Sunday, I dared the entire 9:30 service to join me in my “kindness project.” With the smallest gestures, we have the power to transform the day, even the life of another—many!

I am convinced that when Jesus walked the planet he was waving, smiling, and warmly greeting every person who crossed his path. This would explain the thousands of people who gathered wherever he was. Jesus was a living, breathing “borderland of God.” He made sure that everyone who crossed his path felt seen, encouraged, loved. We can do the same!

The Way of Debordieu is possible—desperately needed—on every square inch of this divine planet. The secret to peace, harmony, redemption and experiences of heaven-come-to-earth is simple kindness. The script the world is writing tells us to be self-focused, even at the expense of others. No wonder the world can feel so bleak. God’s script has us waving, complimenting, embracing, loving in an unabashed, extravagant way. It completely changes the temperature of the outside world and even more profoundly, our inside world. Suddenly, the world transforms into a place of warmth, possibility and hope. I believe Music City, Tennessee can be a “D’abord Dieu.” More importantly, you and I can be a borderland of God. The goal is simple: people are better for having crossed your path.

Enjoy the song below from one of Nashville’s favorites! Have a blessed week!