Kindness

      One of the most underrated qualities in the list of the fruit of the Spirit is just plain old-fashioned kindness.  God must really love to see us being kind to each other, because He has much to say about it in the Bible.

      Hebrews 10:24,  "In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good."

      Colossians 3:12,  "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

      One of the first Bible verses I ever memorized came from I Thessalonians 5:15, and the version I learned was,  "Be ye kind one to another."

      If you will think back over your life, I bet you can remember many special times when you were needy in some way and someone treated you with kindness or gave you words of encouragement.  Literature is full of stories about the heartwarming and transforming power of encouraging words and kind deeds.  These can lift our spirits when we feel downtrodden and give us courage and hope to keep on keeping on when life is hard.  How gratifying, how beautiful it is to witness the transformations of a sad, gloomy face breaking into a smile, to watch sagging shoulders lift hopefully, and to see dragging feet begin to step with energy and purpose again.  What a joy and a privilege it is to be used as God's messenger to bring comfort and hope to someone by a few kind words or a thoughtful deed.

Father, may I be a channel of Your kindness and love everywhere I go. 

Amen.