Endorsements
Are you overwhelmed by all thats happening in the world and unsure of what to do about it? Like a good friend and wise guide, Becky Keife is inviting you to take a deep breath and shift your perspective. She shares how small kindnesses can add up to a big difference and why its enough to do what you can, wherever you are, for whoever God puts in front of you today. Whew.
Holley Gerth , bestselling author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts
With a click of a button or a scroll with my finger, I can effortlessly access inhumane behavior topping the headlines of news sites and social media. While it can feel like we are drowning in an ocean of name-calling, bullying, and forsake-thy-neighboring, Becky reminds us how one simple drop of kindness can ripple into a tidal wave of difference. Beckys real, lived stories of kindness invite us to consistently drink from a fountain where our nourishment will overflow into the lives we touch daily. She reminds us that persistent kindness may not make the news, but it will make a difference.
Lucretia Carter Berry , PhD, educator, author, and president of Brownicity.com
Want to change the world? Start by looking for ways to make a difference with the people in your path right in front of youthose you encounter at the store, at school drop-off, at church, in your neighborhood, or right in your own home. As Becky Keife so masterfully illustrates in this book, you dont have to be wealthy or famous or have a bunch of social media followers to impact someones life. Its often the small and seemingly insignificant things that can mean the most! We cant individually change the world, but we can change an individuals world. This book will serve as a powerful guide to do just that!
Crystal Paine , New York Times bestselling author, founder of MoneySavingMom.com, and podcaster
If youre like me, when I look back on the most meaningful parts of my life, I recall the kindnesses extended to me in a time of deep grief or stress. Becky has crafted beautiful stories of kindness and compassion that will make you want to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a time when the world seems against each other. I was immediately softened and reminded that everyone is struggling and facing hardships in their own way. To be met with kindness in these moments is a great salve on our wounds and speaks to the gospel living in us. I hope youll be both compelled and inspired by Beckys words too!
Jami Nato , writer, entrepreneur, and plant killer
Becky Keifes The Simple Difference will remind you that you already have all you need to make an impact in this world: the ability to choose kindness. Its a concept we learn in elementary school and teach our own children, yet once our lives become full, stressful, and complicated, we struggle to prioritize it ourselves. Beckys invitation is simple, yet profound: choose kindness daily and not one of your days will be wasted.
Manda Carpenter , author of Space and host of A Longer Table podcast
Beckys transparent writing style and humorous personal stories made this a delightful call to repentance for me. We tend to treat people as they deserve, but she reminds us that Jesus calls us to treat each person as we want to be treated. With kindness. I found it terribly convicting and empowering... and hope you will too!
Bruce W. Martin , author of Desperate for Hope
With a tender heart and a curious mind, Becky gently asks us to remove the armor weve donned in place of extending kindness to our fellow humans. She reminds us of WHY this much-maligned virtue is so important, and how God uses it to gather His people through us. I am so grateful that we have a guide like Becky, rooted in love and compassion, to help us see how a simple difference can change the lives of people around us, as well as our own.
Erin Moon , host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, resident Bible scholar on The Bible Binge podcast, and author of Every Broken Thing , O Heavy Lightness , and Memento Mori
This book made me cry happy tears in almost every chapter! Beautifully written from the heart, Becky gives us tangible tips to add more kindness to the world and points us back to the ultimate kind soul, Jesus.
Maghon Taylor , author of Betty Confetti and Happy Hand Lettering and founder of AllSheWroteNotes.com
Half Title Page
Also by Becky Keife
No Better Mom for the Job : Parenting with Confidence (Even When You Don't Feel Cut Out for It) (Bethany House)
Courageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are
( in)courage Book List
Take Heart: 100 Devotions to Seeing God When Lifes Not Okay
Look for other Courageous Bible Studies from (in)courage:
Courageous Simplicity: Abide in the Simple Abundance of Jesus
Courageous Joy: Delight in God through Every Season
Courageous Influence: Embrace the Way God Made You for Impact
For more resources, visit incourage.me
Title Page
Copyright Page
2021 by Becky Keife
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www .re vellbooks .co m
Ebook edition created 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3184-7
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible, copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE , copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
(in)courage is represented by Alive Literary Agency, www.aliveliterary.com.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
To Chris,
whose love and partnership is one of
God s great kindnesses in my life.
contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Also by Becky Keife
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Introduction: Be the Blessing
1. Why Kindness
2. Embrace the Awkward
3. Every Word Counts
4. Not Your Last Resort
5. Hardest at Home
6. Kindness in Crisis
7. Undeserved
8. Where Your Feet Are
9. In It for the Long Haul
10. Unexpected Teachers
11. Giving Your Not-Enough
12. Its Not about You
Acknowledgments
Notes
Back Ads
Back Cover
Introduction
BE THE BLESSING