Kindness can carry us far. When we are kind to others or they are kind to us, it is a boost to our heart. Kindness to others shows the love of Jesus to them and His love flows through us to that person when we do things because of Him. When someone shows kindness to us - even a small kindness - it touches us like nothing else if it is done in His name.
It's not always the big things that make the most impact, although, of course they are wonderful. It's the little, every day things that are done that can bless the most. A cup of coffee in the morning from the hands of a loved one; dishes being done without asking; a flower from the garden carefully placed in your hands - these are the little things we remember and they show great love.
Being patient with someone when they have said or done something in an unthinking manner, this, too shows the love of Jesus. Thinking before speaking is an art well learned as we deal with others in a loving and kind way. Jesus did this when dealing with others.
We see this when He is confronted by the Pharisees with the woman accused of adultery. John 8:2-11 tells us:
At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?” They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him.
Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center. When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
We don't know what Jesus was writing on the ground - obviously, that was not the important thing or God would have revealed it to us in His Word. What is important, is that we see Jesus stop and take His time in answering these Pharisees. He doesn't blurt anything out - He is thoughtful. In this process, He is teaching us to be thoughtful. I believe that is part of the teaching of this particular story. There is so much to this Scripture to ponder and learn from and I love that one of the things we learn is to not speak too quickly.
Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips. - Psalm 141:3
keep watch at the door of my lips. - Psalm 141:3
When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,but the one who controls his lips is wise. - Proverbs 10:19
Being kind and speaking in a loving, thoughtful way, brings peace into our homes and our relationships. Even when we speak truth that may not be easily received, if we do it kindly and thoughtfully, the words will be less stinging. There is nothing to be gained by being thoughtless. You may have people in your life who are quite difficult or even cruel. These are the difficult ones to truly love, however, God calls us to love the unlovable so that we may show them Jesus through our actions. Try to treat that person as Jesus would. Remind yourself of how He would treat that person. Remember you are His light in this world and remember that you never know what these tiny seeds of kindness may end up bursting to life in that person.
I pray that God will give me a kind heart and a sweet words to others. I pray that He would use me to glorify Him through being the type of person I should - and want - to be. A person who doesn't look at my circumstances but who keeps my eyes on the Lord and does His bidding with kindness and love.
Blessings - Julie
Thank you Julie. God bless you. I pray for you and your challenges in your own family with this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, sweet friend. Thank you so much!
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