A little kindness goes a long way…

We were celebrating my dad’s 90th Birthday. The whole family was there, all five the kids, their wives, husbands, their kids and their kids’ kids. It was a lovely day with laughter, chatting, eating and simply enjoying the family. At one stage, after we officially congratulated him, my dad got up and spoke briefly, expressing his appreciation and thankfulness to God and to us as a family. When he started speaking, a simple act of kindness by one of his great-grandchildren touched my heart. While everyone was sitting down, listening to him speaking, a little 4-year-old great-granddaughter got up, walked towards her ultra-tall great grandfather, slipped her hand into his and stood by him, hand in hand, while he talked. She didn’t flinch, she looked at him and simply said through her gesture, it’s all good granddad, I’ve got you covered, you’re not alone in this, I support you. She held his hand until he sat down, she held his hand while everyone was making their way to the tables to sit down and eat, and she led him to his table. Only once he was comfortable and looked after, having received his food, did she let go.

You certainly do not have to be clever, or rich, or famous or important, to be kind. Kindness appeals to people of all nations, it is something which softens the hardest heart and generates appreciation. When the word of God says: “it is the kindness of God which draws us to repentance”, it amazes me that the God of the universe loves me so much. Kindness speaks of love, of caring, of wanting the best for someone.  Rom 2:4 (TPT) “Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?”

 When last were you genuinely kind to someone, not because you wanted to impress, or because it was expected of your position, but simply because the kindness of God flowed through you to another human being? Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “

I would like to encourage you to seek opportunities to show kindness. The more we obey the prompting of the Spirit of God in us, the kinder we become. The Word of God urges us to grow in holiness, to become more like Jesus, to mirror His love to others, and kindness is a great way to do that. “So abandon every form of evil, deceit, hypocrisy, feelings of jealousy and slander. In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this “milk” will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life — especially now that you have had a taste of the goodness of the Lord Jehovah and have experienced his kindness.” 1 Pet 2:1-3 (TPT)

I would like to pray over you as Paul wrote to the Galatians: “I pray over you a release of the blessings of God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being that flows from our Father-God and from the Lord Jesus.” Gal 1:3 (TPT)

May His kindness melt your heart!