There's something missing in our world. It's not completely gone, thankfully, but it is disappearing at an alarming rate. It's kindness. There are still lovely examples of it - and, I have to say, that I'm surrounded by it from family, friends, and neighbors. I couldn't have survived without the sweet kindness of those around me. But not a day goes by that I don't read/hear stories of a lack of kindness.
It often shows up in name calling, mocking, bullying, and slandering. It's becoming so widespread that it is leading to an increase in suicides - especially among children and young adults. It's heart-breaking! It's become so common place. There doesn't seem to be any shame in it.
Not too many years ago there was a movement for "random acts of kindness." You would hear daily examples of it - both large and small. It was so encouraging. I think we need to start doing that again.
There are amazing benefits to kindness. It lowers blood pressure, reduces pain, brings longer life, and produces happiness. It can also lower stress. In studies it has been shown that caring for others and being kind in various ways greatly reduces depression. It's a win-win situation for the giver and the receiver. It can boost health and happiness in ways no medicine can. Another study showed that engaging in acts of kindness for as little as 3 days produced increased joy and well being in the giver.
It doesn't have to be "great" things. It can be as simple as opening a door for someone. Paying someone a compliment. Leaving a thank you note for a mailman. Letting a car in in traffic. Over tipping a delivery person. Sending a note of encouragement to someone. The possibilities are endless!!! And I think that once we set our hearts towards looking for ways to spread kindness, the Holy Spirit will show and guide us in specific ways.
It doesn't cost anything. We don't have to be rich. It often involves very little effort on our part. Anyone - young and old - can participate. All we need to do is look for ways to be kind. And I think it's contagious. Those we've blessed will probably bless others. It'll spread. For every situation where I read/hear of someone being mocked, slandered, or called an ugly name I try to think of a way to be kind to someone. It's a small effort, but if we all do that it'll have a great effect.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude." 1 Corinthians 13:4
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones......kindness." Colossians 3:12,13
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone." Galatians 6:10
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22,23
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them." Matthew 7:12
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8,9
I could go on and on. The Bible is packed with verses about being kind. I'm sure, like me, you have examples of being on the receiving end of kindness. It's not completely gone, but we need a fresh revival of kindness in our world. I hope we can lead out in it.
As I've been writing this update, I was flipping through a magazine and read this statement.
"Never underestimate the power of a kind gesture - it can change the world." Amen to that!
I also found out that Sunday, Nov. 13 was World Kindness Day. I had no idea. I'm sorry to have missed it, but we can make our own day! Any day is a good time to be kind.
Yesterday in honor of American Thanksgiving, I found myself thanking the Lord for things all day long. God has been so good to me. I have so much to be thankful for. My son and I had lunch with a friend. It was a sweet time together. I would have loved to have turkey, dressing, candied yams, corn, pumpkin pie and some other typical Thanksgiving day fare - but I enjoyed what we had instead.
Today, the day after Thanksgiving, our family would typically decorate our Christmas tree and enter into the Christmas season. I'm not doing a tree this year, but I am looking forward to enjoying the season. It truly is "the most wonderful time of the year" for me! I love it.
Christmas is a time for hope. It's when we celebrate the hope of the world being born. I'm so grateful that Jesus came - and I have hope for many answers to prayer in this season of hope.
I heard this phrase recently: "Hope begins when you stand in the dark looking out at the light." It resonated in my heart because it feels like that's what I've been doing these past years in so many ways. I stood in the dark while Floyd was so sick. I stood in the dark as I trusted the Lord for provision to pay all the hospital bills. I stood in the dark as I battled cancer. I stood in the dark as some family members went through deep trials. I stood in the dark as our ministry here went through some powerful shakings. So many times I "felt" the darkness of all I was going through.
But in the midst of it all - I could see the light!!! I could see, sense, feel, trust and hope for the light of the Lord to come through for me. And He did! Time and time and time again He met me. He answered prayers. He strengthened me. He comforted me. He provided for me. He encouraged me. And He built faith in my heart to hope for all the things I needed. God was so, so faithful! He is always the light that we can see when we stand in the dark moments in our life.
"For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 4:6
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning." Psalm 130:5,6
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
"Then God said, 'Let there be light' - and there was light." Genesis 1:3
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
"For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth." Ephesians 5:9
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." Isaiah 60:1
No matter how bad, how dark things may seem - there is always hope. And there is always God's light on the other side of the darkness. He has helped me walk from darkness into light over and over again these past few years. I am so grateful. I bask in the light of His presence in my life.
