My Dear Sister,
Kindness is a delightful virtue that smiles often, never frowns, is not self-absorbed and is always received with gladness and, sometimes, with surprise. As a distinct fruit of the spirit, following a list of virtues—love, joy, peace and patience, (Galatians 2:22) kindness is the cherry on top of the parfait!
Kindness is the ignition to selfless, altruistic performance: help for the helpless, provision for the needy, encouragement for the distressed, gentleness to the sarcastic. Random acts of kindness are never counted or measured. People just do them, for family and for strangers, stretching beyond their daily routine or work, sometimes incurring a financial expense, sometimes resulting in back pain and, yet, they expect nothing in return. One does not even think about a simple kindness extended. Small acts of kindness are as meaningful as any. The loveliest aspect of kindness is that it is received and extended without expectation either way. We all experience that feel good feeling from kindness, but we must never forget that kindness of every degree flows from the one source of true love—God! Have you received kindness this week? Have you extended kindness today sister?
You and I could always use an example to help us understand. God gives us a beautiful model of kindness in His word. Consider the kindness of the Proverbs 31 Woman. She exudes the virtue, doing her daily chores selflessly and joyously. She rises early and retires late so that her day is long enough for her to pour out as many acts of kindness as possible: she works with her hand in delight (v. 13); she extends her hand to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy (v. 20); she opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (v. 26). Ah, that is it—she teaches kindness by her talk and her walk!
Dear sister would that my talk and walk were as drenched in kindness as hers! Oh, I rise early and go to sleep late, but do I extend kindness in that time? Am I wasting precious kindness opportunities by treating others as if they owe me something? Do I create my agenda with a continuum of give me, get me, or do for me?
Recently, a man was featured on television for his commitment to one act of kindness daily; Just one act. He was being admired and praised across the nation. Imagine that—just one act of kindness! Just ONE act of kindness, really?
As a Child of God, saved by His mercy and grace, it is my duty and privilege to live my life to His glory! That means that my every moment should be one of obedience, selflessness, and praise to Him in everything that I do. There are so many ways to please God through kindness today, kindness done only in His presence. I can write a Get Well card. I can sing a hymn while doing an unpleasant, neglected chore. I can respond gently to a harsh word. I can bless a homebound person with a phone call. I can pray.
Oh, how I want to be a constant flowing fountain of kindness! But I am not. This is where I fall short of the glory of God. Dear sister, please pray for me, that my daily tasks are not accompanied by resentment, that my contributions to the poor and needy are done without fanfare, and that what I say is never abrupt or hurtful. Pray that the seed of kindness that was planted in me by God’s grace would begin to grow and blossom. I want to extend as much kindness as the Lord will permit—to my husband, to my family, to my friends, even to those who dislike me.
Proverbs 31 ends with praise for the woman who fears the Lord. May this holy fear be ours today with praise to God in every kindness that pours from our being.
Kindness is such sweet fruit. Like the cherry on a parfait!
With Love in our Kind Jesus,
Mimi