Kindness

Good Monday Morning!

Another weekend come and gone. I hope you made time for self-care. With the busyness in our schedules and the pressures of the world, taking time to pray, meditate, workout, socialize, and rest is vital. We can’t expect to manage everything on our plates if we’re pulling from empty vessels.

I’ve been taking a deeper dive into human values and the elements that comprise character and development. Not surprisingly, I keep coming back to the basics of these two passages in Scripture that teach us what’s important.

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” Galatians 5:22 (TPT)

“And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:9 (TPT)

Stephen Grellet was born in France in the late 1700s. He was the son of a counselor to King Louis XVI and escaped the French Revolution to Europe, and later the United States. He was a prominent Quaker missionary and is generally recognized as the author of the following statement. The sentiment reflects the importance of kindness as a continual practice.

In a blog I recently read from Psychology Today (Dec. 2017), kindness was described as “…the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. While kindness has a connotation of meaning someone is naive or weak, that is not the case. Being kind often requires courage and strength.” The description sounds remarkably familiar.

We only get one chance at this precious life of ours to engage in goodness and acts of kindness that may make a positive impact on another’s life. I wonder what it would look like if we did not defer nor neglect an opportunity. If we were courageous about expressing the qualities of kindness to everyone with whom we came in contact, regardless of our differences.

Let’s find ways to show kindness this week. Perhaps there’s someone you’re already thinking about who would benefit from an act of gentle warmth or friendly affection. Contemplate the present need and do not defer nor neglect the chance. Hold space for someone to whom you may not naturally gravitate. Anticipate divine appointments and embrace them.

Enjoy engaging in kindness every chance you get this week!

Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda