Goody Two-Shoes.

The fable tells of Goody Two-Shoes, the nickname of a poor orphan girl named Margery Meanwell, who goes through life with only one shoe. When a rich gentleman gives her a complete pair, she is so happy that she tells everyone she has "two shoes". Later, Margery becomes a teacher and marries a rich widower. Margery’s wealth enables her to help the poor just as she herself had been helped. She remains adamant that money is to be used for the good of others less fortunate than oneself, not only for personal benefit.

You may be asking yourself, 'how does this relate to KAE?'

Here's how:

KAE was created as a reminder. Not simply a reminder for others but a reminder for ourselves as well. A reminder that we have a divine responsibility to live the message we preach- to walk the walk and talk the talk. A reminder that it is not all about us. A reminder that everything we do has an impact. When you see people doing something, there is always a reason. There's a reason why your parents raised you the way they did, there's a reason a president may choose the path of politics, there's a reason why a pastor may feel like He should live a life that leads others to God. There is always a reason. So why KAE? What is KAE's reason for being here?

KAE exists for four extremely important reasons:

1. To identify and rid ourselves and those who come in contact with us of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is an elevated sense of another person's brokenness, paired with an unrealistic assessment of our own senselessness. We live in a critical world. An extremely critical world. Turn on the news, read a newspaper, open Twitter, peruse Instagram, or click on Facebook. Pick one, any one. Criticality is an engrained part of our life. So what causes us to be critical? The false sense of self that leads us to believe that we have earned what we have. We've been conditioned to believe that it is solely by our power, greatness and awareness that we have what we have. That is not so. There are people much smarter than you and I, much KINDER than KAE, much more famous than us. That is a reality. However, we are fully aware that just as they have purpose, so do we. Unapologetically. With this knowledge comes an understanding that we have what we have because of God's grace. This blog could have come from anyone else. We thank God for the opportunity to be here. To exist. To connect with you. Therefore, we cannot boast of our own strength because the reality is that it could have been anyone. We only hope and pray for continued obedience and impact.

2. To come to terms with the truth that judging others shows contempt to God's grace and patience that He has towards us. Truth is, we should all be gracious towards each each other because of the graciousness God shows towards our own faults. We cannot hold a grudge, judge others, justify our unkind thoughts and acts and be eager to point out another peron's faults, when we ourselves sin all the time. That's the reality and beauty of it. We are all in need of God's grace. That truth alone should inject humility into our lives. The humility of seeing ourselves as gracious recipients of favor allows us to be gracious towards others.

3. God wouldn't intentionally create all of us, only to choose some of us. God has no favorites. We tend to hide behind ethnicity, religion, and titles. Pride does not count in God's kingdom- His kingdom both in heaven and on earth. As Romans 3:9 says, "...all people are under the power of sin". We don't mean to offend anyone however, a relationship with God and the chance of going to heaven is not reserved for a chosen few. It is for all of us, if and only if we are obedient to His word.

4. To remind ourselves and those who come in contact with us that although we have all been unkind at various points in lives, have all sinned, and have all judged others, "we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes no matter who we are", as Romain 3:22 says.

KAE exists because of our belief in a very real God and we will never veer away from that belief. With that said, I encourage you to read Romans chapter 1, chapter 2, and/or chapter 3. These chapters depict the truth of who we are, how flawed we are and how powerful, gracious and honest God truly is.

The next time you think about responding to that person who cut you off on the highway, the friend who is acting differently, or that coworker who is giving you a hard time, first identify the brokenness in your own life and treat those people with as much grace that God treats you with. Stay focused on the reality of God, the reality of your own flaws, the reality of sin overall and be bold in your kindness.

Click here for a message about forgiveness from one of our favorite devotionals.

Have a beautiful rest of the day and remember to live loved in every moment God blesses you with.

- Alicia