Mindfulness: The Goodness Of God

In the Bible, the “goodness” of God often refers to His gracious generosity in providing abundantly for mankind’s needs and benefits (Psalms 23:6; Psalms 65:11). It can also refer to God’s generous mercy and patience that allows more time for sinners to repent (Romans 2:4).

In essence, goodness is His nature, but I didn’t stop there.

I took my search further and checked out the dictionary version which stated goodness to be:

[ˈɡo͝odnəs]

NOUN

1. the quality of being morally good or virtuous.
   “a belief in the basic goodness of mankind”
   synonyms:
   virtue · virtuousness · good · righteousness · morality · ethicalness · [more]
2. the beneficial or nourishing element of food.
   synonyms:
   nutritional value · nutrition · nutrients · wholesomeness · nourishment · nutriment

Good, I find, is a moral virtue that flows from God and all human beings regardless of race or gender. We all strive to be good or to do good. I speak several languages and in all of them, the greeting that ushers in a new day is “Good morning”.

Good is an adjective, it adds credence to a noun or a verb. It is also a noun. It is good. So when we say God is good, we know he is full of goodness, and I like the expression present in Psalms 23:6 and 65:11 that states:-

His gracious generosity in providing abundantly for mankind’s needs and benefits.

God has in His ability to provide, not anyhow, but purposefully, generously, and abundantly. Why? Responsibility. He provides for all that He has created. Human beings are created in God’s image so we closely emulate Him out of all creation. 

Think about it, there are lots of other creatures that don’t have that character. For example, lots of animals lay eggs and they are gone! But with human beings, we find that we carry our unborn babies for 9 months, give birth, and then take care of them to maturity and beyond.

So what has all this got to do with goodness?

I believe the online dictionary summed it up for us, “it is a belief in the basic goodness of mankind”.

Why is it then that we see unsavory behavior around us that doesn’t show that goodness?

It is almost like in every action, we have the potential of good in us, but many times, our response is influenced by what we have become and who we are in the complexity of life. 

Anywhere a newborn baby enters this world, the life they have is full of potential. That baby’s existence is initially shaped by the parents it is born to. They learn quickly and their character emerges and we find that the care they receive can mold them and give them basic survival skills that they add on to as they grow to become functioning responsible human beings.

Behavioral studies show that the trajectory of one’s life is shaped by the household they grew in. What influences one to be good is the good they receive as they grow up. There are also a lot of outside elements and influencers as one ventures out into the world. 

Here, I would like to address goodness as a virtue that is an ‘add on’ as a commodity that one can pursue in life when one is an adult. 

I have found that in every aspect of life there is a more excellent way to do things. In other words, whatever I do, I can aim to do it the best way possible especially if it benefits someone else. Of course, I can also treat others well as I learn to treat myself well. 

As a CNA for over 20 years, I learned in college how to provide care to someone who is going through sickness or recovering from an injury. I learned what I was taught was basic and by applying goodness, I could contribute to someone’s well being and recovery. Sometimes, if recovery is not possible, then good care contributes to a peaceful comfortable eternal rest. 

Caring for people has taught me to really care if you know what I mean. Many times the caregiver has to put their comfort and desire on the back burner, to give care. A good caregiver must take good care of themselves first. It is not easy to be in a good mood and allow goodness to flow out of you if you are sleepy and hungry. That is when I say “No” is a good word. If one is overwhelmed or tired, take a break and feed your soul and body first. Goodness does not flow out of tired vessels nor does it flow from an empty vessel. 

In my scope of work, I care mostly for seniors. Sometimes they are so frail and afraid and I have to bring good cheer and hope. I have to encourage myself even if there is no hope of recovery. The most difficult ones are where there is a disconnect in families and there is sadness and mistrust, anger and bitterness: even then goodness has anecdotes to bring change, and sometimes, one has to reach inside of themselves to another sister of goodness called “grace”. Grace is an undeserved love that we have received from God and we can ask for more as the need arises.

As a Care Provider, one has to wear many hats and one has to be ready to be a buffer for human souls. It doesn’t matter whether one is giving care to a relative or is employed to provide care,  to do so with excellence one must have the grace to give out of the abundance of the heart. Goodness is a heart issue.

We also realize that the people who we think are mean and bitter are individuals that were dished out blows in life and their behavior is simply a shield of protection covering a good soul that needs love and care too. One then has to look past the first encounter so they may not miss the opportunity to give the gift of hope and goodness to others. 

So a challenge to myself first is always asking: is this the best I can give? And if I ever get a chance to do something over, I collect grace and do better than before. We have to keep at it! If you fail at one thing, don’t give up, keep trying, keep doing it to the best of your ability. This life is a journey, it doesn’t matter one’s age, the power is in your thinking, as you think you become, if you think good, goodness will abound in your doing. Try to be genuine! Smile!

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. – Proverbs 23:7

Carry goodness and mercy and dish it out, because God lavishly bestows on us daily portions of it.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me – Psalm 23:6