“The worldly man treats certain people kindly
because he ‘likes’ them: the Christian, trying to treat everyone kindly, finds
himself liking more and more people as he goes on – including people he could
not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning.” -C.S. Lewis
What does it mean to be kind in a time of
busyness, a time of stress? Some of the
descriptions of the word “kind” used in the dictionary are gentle, thoughtful, compassionate and generous. What would you add
to that list?
Kind is the opposite of “harsh, hard, sharp
and bitter” and is synonymous with being gracious, pleasant and good
according to Strong’s concordance.
What does it take to bring kindness into the
lives of others? Especially when we are hurting, or lonely or just weary?
Too often the brokenness in life has an
incredible way of bringing out the worst in us. But haven’t we all also had an
opportunity to see it bring out the best of us- unexpected but true.
Occasionally in the midst of tragedy, pain and loss we see the greatest acts of
kindness.
What have you observed in the last few months?
I’ve seen others give just because there is a need with no expectation of
repayment. And others serve because they are able and someone else just can’t
quite get it done. The need is there and we have the opportunity to help, to
share joy, to lighten the load a little for someone else. Just a random act of
kindness right? Lives are changed and we are changed because we choose to
participate in practicing kindness.
Our nation just grieved again the one year
anniversary of the Newtown tragedy. Last year after covering the tragedy in
Newtown, Connecticut, NBC News’ Ann Curry wondered what could be done to ease
the national suffering over the loss of 26 children and teachers at Sandy Hook
Elementary. Why not, she tweeted, commit to doing one act of kindness for every
child and teacher whose lives were tragically taken?
In Texas a group of 8 and 9 year olds heard about
the grace-filled idea and ran with it. By the end of the week they had
completed over 100 “random acts of kindness” for other teachers, students,
parents, siblings and others…
• A hug
• A smile
• Meeting
someone new at recess and play together
• Saying
“thank you”
• Picking
up some trash
During this time of your life, no matter what is
happening are you practicing giving the gift of kindness? Why don’t you try
today to be kind to one person who is close to you and to one person you don’t
know at all? Who knows what change that might bring to your life or to another
person’s life? I can guarantee that you will feel better because you blessed
someone else with your kindheartedness.
“The greatest feats of love are performed by
those who have had much practice in performing daily acts of kindness.”
-Anonymous
