Day 34: Kindness

How can we really show kindness to our neighbour?

The dictionary defines kindness as a quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. However, as renewed children of God, we can add so much more to this definition.

Again, we can reflect on the kindness that God has shown towards us. Just like God is love, God also carries the perfect quality of kindness. "But when the kindness of the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared...that having been justified by grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4)

So, following this example we are to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

It's fair enough, though, to say that we have to be kind, and I'm sure that we all know that we have to be kind to everyone; but when it comes to the crunch of the matter, we rarely show true kindness in situations were that's primarily what we should do. I stumbled across this poem which gives a few ideas about what sorts of things are under the umbrella of kindness.

Kindness

Kindness looks for ways to help. 

Kindness lets a friend go first. 

Kindness tries to keep the peace,

Kindness never thinks the worst. 

Kindness plays with everyone,

Kindness gives a loving touch. 

Kindness speaks with gentle words,

Kindness never takes too much. 

Kindness cares and kindness knows,

Kindness shares and kindness shows. 

- Lara Krumwiede

This list is by no means exhaustive, but one point I like to make is that, kindness shows. Like the rest of the fruits of the Spirit, kindness must be something which other people can see in our lives. Kindness is a doing thing. It requires interaction with people, it requires doing things for others, it requires self-sacrifice. Kindness is not easy, but kindness is the fruit of a renewed heart.