I very much dislike the word "nice." It brings forth images of people with no real life in them. No opinions, no truth, no ideas. I believe it's the foundation of Political Correctness, of "Your Truth" and "My Truth."
Kindness, however, is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is sometimes not at all "nice". It sometimes requires hurting someone's feelings when there's been a wrong done. Kindness steps on toes, extends grace, and comes from a heart of obedience to God.
Niceness is a self-centered plea along the lines of, "Everyone, please like me!"
Kindness does not care about being liked, but simply desires what is truly best for another person.
Kindness often involves hard conversations and awkward silences, allowing the other person space, and the Holy Spirit time to work.
Kindness is what drives me, as mom, to expect obedience from my children. It is what pushes me to raise the standard high for them, to push them to try and not give up. Kindness is what impels me to speak the truth lovingly to my children when they are in the wrong. It is the same thing that protects them when others would harm them.
"Nice" is not what I expect of my children. "Kind" most definitely is.
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