On Kindness
What follows is a random collection of thoughts on kindness.
Kindness is an important quality to cultivate in ourselves and our children.
Kindness can create bridges, mend hearts, and soothe angry souls.
“Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
-Author unknown
The above quote is one of my favorites. It's words are true and hold such importance for our relationships with one another.
Kindness is defined as:
The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
The Greek word for kindness is said to refer to a virtue that pervades and penetrates the whole nature, that mellows anything harsh and austere. (Vine's.)
Kindness has to do with sweetness and tenderness. It's showing sympathy, consideration, and understanding.
Kindness, while fairly simple to define, isn't always easy to put into action.
Sure, we can be kind to those who are kind to us. But, being kind to those who are not kind is another story.
Why be kind?
I think the answer here is very simple: God wants us to be kind.
Proverbs 3:3-4 says:
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.”
And Colossians 4:33
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
If you want to read more, check out these verses on kindness:
- Micah 6:6-8 <–a really good one!
- Zecharaiah 7:9-10
- Colossians 3:12
- Ephesians 2:4-7 <–God's kindness to us
- 2 Timothy 2:23-26 – Be kind to all
- 1 Peter 3:8-9
I think most of you know what it means to be kind. You want to be kind and you strive to be kind to those around you.
You know that, “kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain)
You know that what we do is more important than what we think. As Kahlil Gibron said:
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”
We must act.
And act soon.
For,
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
There is one place you may be falling down in your kindness. If you are like many women I know (myself included) you need to work on being kind to one special person . . .
YOU!
Have you ever taken a step back to listen to the words you speak to yourself? Do you criticize and shame yourself harshly? Unneccesarily?
Would you speak to your child the way you speak to yourself? To your mother or grandmother?
I want you to think about something:
God is kind to you (He sent His son to die for you).
So, how about you be kind to you too?
God forgives you.
Perhaps you should do the same?
God thinks you are worth showing kindness to, so how about you show kindness to you?
Speak nicely to yourself.
Take care of yourself, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
I don't mean, be selfish. But let's be careful how we think about selfish. Taking time to sleep is not selfish. Spending 30 minutes exercising, is not selfish.
Let's remember to be kind.
Kind to each other. Kind to ourselves.
Kindness does not have to be grand, It can be very simple.
A smile.
A word of encouragement.
Sharing a cookie.
Giving a hug.
In a world that is increasingly harsh, where crude and rude is often applauded, where getting ahead includes stepping on others, let us be the kind ones.
