Kindness :)

Oh how sweet it is that our next fruit of the Spirit is kindness, and I get the honor of writing this on Global Pay it Forward Day! Today is a day set aside to intentionally be kind to others. This is such a practical way for believers to show the world an example of the love Christ has to offer!

Kindness seems like such a simple and small thing. We often times overlook it without recognizing the importance of it. The Bible clearly commands it in Ephesians 4:32 when it says

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

There is a reason that God calls us to be kind to one another! This isn’t an empty command that has no purpose! I’m sure we’ve all experienced that before! One time my friends and I were asked to help take everything out of a closet that was FULL from the floor to the ceiling with random stuff. We put everything on the tables outside, and then the leader told us to throw it back into the closet (without any order or organization!!). That was an empty command. There was no reason for us to have taken everything out of the disorganized closet, then throw it back in!

Kindness is not like that! We aren’t commanded to be kind to others for no reason! We are called to be intentionally kind to others because Jesus has been intentionally and overwhelmingly kind to us! Jesus gave us such a beautiful example of what kindness looks like in his love and grace towards us! There’s a quote that I heard once that holds some truth in it… “You may be the only Bible some people ever read.” A lot of people have never read a Bible before. They have no idea that there’s a God who loves them and sees them. You may be the only example of Christ’s love they ever experience. Your actions are soooooo important!! Your kindness matters!! The kindness you offer may be how someone comes to know Jesus (: You never know!

A wise teacher/Christian leader in my life once told me about his takeaway from his family member’s funeral (I know what you’re probably thinking… “Abby, why on earth are you talking about funerals in a kindness post?!” I understand! Just stay with me!!) He told me that at this funeral, several people went to the front and shared all the wonderful things about the person who had passed away. He then realized, why do we wait until the person has died to be kind to them? Why wouldn’t we be kind to them while they’re still alive and can enjoy the kindness we give? I found this really convicting. It has encouraged and spurred my heart to let the people in my life know how much I appreciate them. There is no reason why I should wait until they are no longer able to hear me! This is something practical we can all do. If you really appreciate someone, tell them and show them through your kindness!

Let’s work together to make this a daily practice of continually being kind to others as a representation of the kindness the Lord extends to His children. Just because today is Global Pay it Forward Day does not mean that kindness is only for today! (it just happened to conveniently fall on today!) It is important to be kind everyday! I hope that as you embrace the love and kindness of the Lord, you are able to extend that to the whole world!!

If you have prayer requests, I have recently opened up a “contact me” page. You are welcome to fill that out with any burdens on your heart. I would love the opportunity to pray with you and for you. Don’t you ever forget this truth: you are oh so loved, my friends <3