nice.

It's a simple and small word.

With every gesture the world becomes well, 
a little bit nicer.

Sometimes circumstances test us.
We know what we should do.
But do we?

Yesterday Jason was playing frisbee golf at 
the park with some student leaders.
He should have been at work, but since discipling is part of his job 
description, it was somewhat of an out of office meeting, if you will.

A man pulled up in front of our house and promptly fell out of his car.
Bloody and disoriented he began to walk up the steps to the door.
The unlocked front door.
In a panic Jason sprinted across the field and 
caught him as he arrived at our doorstep.

This man had just been in a car accident and was heavily under the influence.

As soon as Jason knew his family inside the house 
were safe his role quickly changed from protector to pastor. 
He sat the man down and began to learn his story.
His sad and tragic story.

His wife had committed suicide two weeks 
prior and he blamed himself for her death.
It was his full intention to take his own life that very day.
The very day that he landed at our door.  
In full view of the park that Jason was at.
That is no coincidence.
That is the hand of God intervening.

Should this man have been driving under the influence?
No.  Of course not.
Could he have harmed others?
Absolutely. Yet, thankfully he didn't.
But all my husband saw was a man in pain.  
Desperate.
Who needed a glimpse of encouragement.
A splinter of hope.

He took time to love the unlovable.
To express the love of Jesus.


To be nice.


I dare you to do the same.


Posted in

38 Comments

  1. SherrylMay 6, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    Wow. That's a great story. That man couldn't have ended up in better hands than the Carson's. You guys are awesome.

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  2. HeatherMay 6, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    I'm sure there was a reason that he ended up on your doorstep. God must have known there was some nice available there!

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!

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  3. JillMay 6, 2009 at 3:37 PM

    That's what it's all about! I am constantly amazed at what God does when we are open to helping- not hurting others, when we place judgement in the hands of Whom it belongs...His, not ours...sometimes a simple kindness changes the course of someone's life...and that's what's called a Blessing...we should all be more "nice"- like Jason was...I believe he was used by God to be a part of that man's healing. Way to go Jason!!
    Many Blessings!

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  4. Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13May 6, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    I'm a new reader of your blog (through Heather of Cookie Mondays), a new mom of a 3 month old, and a fellow believer. Thank you for your posts and thank you for sharing this experience!

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  5. Heather | Cookie MondaysMay 6, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    Oh my! What a powerful story. Niceness truly can make all the difference. You are quite a family.

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  6. Melissa AbbyMay 6, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    Thanks for sharing that story, there was definitely a reason for that "out of office meeting" :)

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  7. ~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~May 6, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    I've linked to your post ...

    Have a great night. :)

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  8. CandiceMay 6, 2009 at 5:03 PM

    Im so glad that you shared this, wow I am in awe, thank you for helping this man!

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  9. Shell in your PocketMay 6, 2009 at 5:10 PM

    Great reminder.
    sandy toe

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  10. TrishMay 6, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    I am a total believer of God's divine plan! Sometimes these things are so overwhelming though.

    When I lost Caylin, I was in a state of craziness. A lady told her friend to give me a call cause she too had lost her baby only about a week and a half before me. She called we talked for about an hour or more and when we finally got to talking about where we lived... 3 HOUSES DOWN FROM ME. I was in a state of shock over that one and I still get goosebumps just thinking about how God new what was going to be!

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  11. Kelly O.May 6, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    I think the closer your relationship to God the more compassion and "niceness" he gives us in caring for our fellow man. I will pray that this man seeks his answers and comfort in the Bible.
    thank you for sharing. I think it reminds all Christians that we are to be as Christ is to us.

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  12. TessaMay 6, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    Praise God for your husband with such a servant heart ... I totally agree that being nice can make all the difference!

    Have I told you lately that I love your blog?

    I am a new reader - but LOVE IT! Thanks for the inspiration today!

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  13. Allikaye's MamaMay 6, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    l-o-v-e you and your blog!

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  14. LindsayMay 6, 2009 at 7:41 PM

    This gave me chills! what an awesome story.

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  15. SaraMay 6, 2009 at 7:43 PM

    wow!! i'm so glad you're ok. and what a NICE husband (to say the least). thanks for sharing.

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  16. me and my boysMay 6, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    god was obviously looking out for him. what ended up happening to the man? by the way, i love your blog and all your creativness :)

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  17. Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan TooMay 6, 2009 at 9:50 PM

    That was a great story!

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  18. KristiMay 6, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    Praise be to God that this is the type of story and happening even that I am getting used to. I work with teen moms as a mentor, as a minister, as a pray-er, as a witness, as a support. There are many other women who do this along side me and each other. Trust me, it is hard, to love, the unlovable. But we see the pain, we see girls who are lost. And I praise God for the opportunity to be used as an instrument of His kingdom.

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  19. maribethMay 6, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    what an amazing story!! looks like God knew exactly how to intervene for this man. and, your husband knew exactly how to respond! it seems like nice is rare these days, so thank you for sharing.

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  20. Cottage At Dove CanyonMay 7, 2009 at 4:19 AM

    I try to come up with other words to describe you and the wonderful things you do and the ways that you inspire. The word I always come back to is amazing. So glad to get glimpses into your world.

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  21. SouthernDogwoodsMay 7, 2009 at 4:42 AM

    What a great post and at an appropriate time in my life. I have tried being nice to someone that just seems unreachable or at least she does not to be reached by me. UGH! Great post! And how touching. Thank you for posting!

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  22. meg duerksenMay 7, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    i will try.
    does that mean i have to start with my own daughter in my own house? please say no.

    jason sounds like a stud.
    in a Godly way.
    :)

    how awesome that he let God work through him. how awesome that that man showed up at your door. HE knew.

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  23. AmyMay 7, 2009 at 7:05 AM

    THIS is a great post with a wonderful lesson of love! Thank you for helping me start my day with a new attitude! Because, to be honest, I was feeling a bit grumpy today!

    I hope you don't mind me linking to this post from my blog. I would love my readers(all of about 10!!:))to meet you! I will wait a day or so to post it to give you a chance to give me permission!!

    Have a great day!

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  24. TonyaMay 7, 2009 at 8:06 AM

    chills...

    thanks for the inspiration today..

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  25. KellyMay 7, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    God is simply amazing. What an encouraging story that really shows the heart of your husband. How many people would've just called the police and let them deal with it? Thank you for sharing it! So many wives spend so much time berating their husbands, it's always nice to hear a proud wife tell a story about her awesome godly husband. I'm looking forward to the someday on the other side of heaven when we get to hear "the rest of the story".

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  26. JamieMay 7, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    Wow! I love how God works things to work like that. I am sure your hubby was a blessing to that hurting man. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. KoningskindMay 7, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    It is not only being nice. It is showing the deep love of our Father to the world.

    Be blessed!

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  28. SheybMay 7, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    What a touching story, Julie!! I am positive that man loved that your husband took the time out of his day to speak with him, and witness to him. That's definitely nice, or more! :)

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  29. The Sabourin FamilyMay 7, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    Thanks for sharing this encouraging story and for spreading the love of God.

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  30. TashaMay 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    what an amazing story and also what a good story to get me (and the rest of us) thinking. Thank you for sharing it. It is so true.

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  31. DeniseMay 7, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    in tears. I LOVE GOD! I love that He loves that man, and saved him yesterday and on the cross.

    May that man, that child of God come to see that Truth. May God lavish his great love on him, magnify His mercy on him, heal Him heart, soul,mind,and body, and may our great God be glorified in His life, in Jesus name.

    thank you for sharing.

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  32. MommafoMay 7, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    Julie that's amazing. Thank you for sharing that with us.

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  33. AmyMay 7, 2009 at 7:35 PM

    Your story gave me chills. Awesome. What a lucky women you are to have a husband like Jason. God has blessed you, truly.

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  34. MOMSWEBMay 7, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Hi there. I'm visiting via Abiding There and I've truly been blessed! To God be the glory!

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  35. Simply SaraMay 7, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    Oh, how God's love is just so beautiful and amazing.

    I love how he rescues us, especially when we are at the end of ourselves. (that seems to be the best time- when we finally realize that He is everything!)

    I am so blessed by your words. Thank you for sharing such an encouraging reminder of God's grace, and how he longs to use us in the whole process!

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  36. SoSoBellaMay 7, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    I don't remember how I stumbled across your blog but I am so glad I did. You are such a inspiration, a delight, a good giggle, to so many, SO MANY.
    What a lucky man to end up where he did. I hope he is doing well.

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  37. Beki - TheRustedChainMay 8, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. Beki - TheRustedChainMay 8, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    Oh my goodness!!

    God had you guys placed in the right moment at the right time.

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