During Holy Week in Jerusalem, I was discussing the failures and successes of the Catholic church and my difficulty in finding a new church community with our friar-to-be friend Erik one day in the Petra Hostel lobby.
“I just don’t have a lot in common with the people I find at a church,” I said.
“Why do you think that is? Are they too “nice”? he asked. “Like, you know: ‘How are you? Good to see you! Let’s have some coffee!’ Because I find that, too. There’s a big difference between kind and nice. And I think a lot of people are nice but not necessarily kind.”
While this was not my problem with churchgoers, I thought it was an excellent point.
Definition of Nice:
1. pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.
2. amiably pleasant; kind: They are always nice to strangers.
Definition of Kind:
1. of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
2. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence: kind words.
3. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often fol. by to): to be kind to animals.
They’re different. Quite different. Being nice is somewhat of a default setting. But being kind takes a little more effort and intention. And it’s much more important.
