Have kindly affection one for another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another;
Romans 12:10
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Every once in a while, God shows His very personal kindness , personal provision, in ways in my life that I would not even known to ask for, but that are considerate of me in very generous ways. Sometimes you just need something you didn’t know to ask for. My friend, Jacqui, is such a gift of kindness to me. We originally met a few years ago when I was visiting in town and offered to meet women at C. S. Lewis’s house to speak for an hour and to host a time of encouragement. About 50 women showed up, including Jacqui. We have been friends now for several years.
I am naturally independent by nature. I am used to taking care of many details and working hard. Recently, I have found myself experiencing great pain through an incidence with my lower back, a ruptured disc and a sciatic nerve issue. It hurts when I walk, even when I sit or move. I hate to be vulnerable and a burden on others. Yet, here I am. I must wait until someone brings me a cup of tea instead of going down my steep steps one more time. I have to order taxis instead of walking places with my family. And I need help shopping for groceries, as usually I do it on foot, as we are without a car.
In comes my friend, Jacqui. She has shown up at my house bringing me treats, groceries, taking me to places in her car, carrying bags for me. She comes early to my Bible studies to help set up chairs, treats, and to make tea and coffee. She even scours charity shops to find extra mugs so I can have real china to serve everyone present with a beautiful cuppa.
I was thinking the other day how much her unexpected and unasked for kindness has meant to me. Not only do we have fun together each week as she drives an hour from London to be with me, but her kindness to me in a very challenging time has touched a deep place in my heart. Giving to me out of the benevolence of he own life without me having to ask is a picture of Christ to me.
So, we went out to celebrate by splitting breakfast goodies and coffee at a favorite restaurant together. We even found a bush filled with these beautiful flowers as we were walking toward the cafe.
The word of the week is Kindness which is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate, thoughtful to meet needs without being asked. Kindness exhibits a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence: kind words. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed by to): mild; gentle. Most of all, though, it is an actual representation of what Christ is like lived out in the real moments of life. He expressed His overwhelming kindness to us out of his “kin-ship”, special love for us, his beloved children.
One of my favorite verses speaks of kindness as one of the ways God draws people, (our children and friends) to Himself: Romans 2:4
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and [a]restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
There it is—kindness leads us to repentance, bowing our knee, believing in God’s mercy because of HIs kindness towards us.
Kind from “kin”—related to, relatives—benevolence to those close to you—God is Kind toward us because He sees us as His own—And so, when we ingest His kindness, we pour out God’s kindness to others because of His loving kindness to us.
Here are some of my favorite “kind” verses. Memorize one or two and write down ways you will show the kindness of God this week.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Ephesians 4:32
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Proverbs 31: 26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
As I end this week, Joy & Clay have also shown exceeding kindness. She has served me tirelessly, made meals, endless cups of tea, Clay has washed dishes, shopped for groceries, organized our lives. I am seeing how much kindness means to me—to be served so sweetly, without any malice or resentment. it is the kindness of God I have experienced, and now I am more than ever moved to learn to become more kind, considerate in active ways to others who need my attention.
Who needs your thoughtfulness, kindness this week? How can you display it to your children? Your friend? Your husband? God bless you, my friends.
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