John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have loved one another.
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.
Kindness begins in our hearts. It is not aggressive or self serving. Kindness flows out of love for Jesus. When we are filled with the love of Jesus, we are able to show kindness to those around us, regardless of their behaviors.
In Bible study last week, our leader discussed the importance of kindness that flows from the heart. She stated that it begins with how we treat ourselves. Are we kind and loving with ourselves, or do we cut ourselves down while placing a smile on our face? Jesus desires for our kindness to be directed at ourselves just as much as we are to direct it to those around us.
Part of our homework was to be aware of our kindness. We were instructed to make extra efforts to be kind to everyone we encountered, including ourselves. On Thursday I just happened to be outside when the garbage truck came by. I said hello to the man taking our garbage. Honestly, I wasn't even thinking of the homework. I was just saying hello. Yesterday I was walking to the bus stop to get Luke and the garbage truck passed by. The same man I had said hello to waved really big and said hello. It immediately hit me that the kindness I showed him on Thursday touched him. I wondered how often he is ignored? It actually was a bittersweet moment for me. I was so glad that he felt respected and experienced the love of Christ in my hello. However, it hurt my heart to think of all of the times he had been ignored and looked over.
As the quote at the top of this post states, "Kindness is the best accesory". Showing kindness really does share God's love. May we all put on our best accesory today and shine the love of Jesus. Wear it well my friend!
