Because of your kindness and your truth, you have made great above all things your name and your promise.
How do you define kindness? What is the kindest thing that you have ever done? Helping someone to carry his baggage. Smiling at every person you meet. Cooking dinner for your wife and kids. Donating one month salary to an orphanage. What, then, is the kindest thing that someone has done for you lately? Opened the door for you. Returned your wallet, that you lost. Donated a body organ so you may live.
Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. God is praised for being kind – for showing his steadfast love in so many ways. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, let us cultivate true kindness – the love directed toward others for their sake and not just our own:
1. Start by listening to others. For kindness to really blossom among us we need to listen carefully to one another. Just giving our time and attention to others for their sake is kindness.
2. Intentionally cultivate connections with others. Kindness is not a virtue that can be developed in isolation. Kindness is all about the quality of our relationships with one another. Connect with others and share with them the kindness of God.
3. Imitate God’s loving kindness. This is what David did. This is what Paul urges us to do (Eph. 4:31-32) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
(from “Cultivating Kindness”)
Almighty Father, through your loving kindness, illuminate our minds today with the light of faith. Through Your Son’s rising from the dead you opened up mankind’s road to eternity: as we do our work today, give us the hope of eternal life. Through your risen Son you sent the Holy Spirit into the world: ignite the fire of spiritual and steadfast love in our hearts.
“Be the living expression of God’s kindness.” – Mother Teresa
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