Today is ‘Random Acts of Kindness Day.’
A day of love and a day of kindness, just three days apart. It’s nice to have days set aside to honor and celebrate friends and family. It's fun to have a day designated to randomly extend an act of kindness toward people we interact with throughout the day, or a stranger we pass at the coffee shop or behind us at the drive thru.
I sure hope it’s more than a day or two.
All too often we move on and forget the importance of these two basic needs of humanity. Our relationships need them, strangers too, and dare I say even our ‘enemies’.
Love those who hate you. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then you will truly be acting as children of the Most High. Luke 5:35
Love and kindness.
They are more than a day on a calendar.
More than a checkmark on our to-do lists.
Even more than an intentional way of living.
Kindness should be intrinsic to Christ followers; the core of who we are.
WHAT IS KINDNESS?
Kindness is love in action. Mercy extended. Grace provided.
Christ exemplified love and kindness to us. He did that so we would do the same for others. The season for love and kindness is always. Let's keep passing it on.
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Do for others what you wish others would do for you (Matthew 7:12).
Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness.
Kindness is often difficult. It sometimes requires courage and strength since it requires a measure of vulnerability. It comes naturally for some people, or at least they make it seem that way. Some of us struggle more with being gentle and compassionate toward others.
Kindness is something most people can offer. However, we must realize that not everyone has the capacity to be kind. There are good people, heartbroken people whose souls are hurting and crushed, kindness is not on their radar. And, that is okay. This is where the graciousness of kindness can be seen, in how we allow others the space to just be.
“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25
Kindness is expecting nothing in return or wondering if the receiver will ‘pass it on’ or not. And, yes, even if it doesn’t change someone.
Kindness is never wasted. Those moments of love and respect in action will never be forgotten. When people feel ‘seen’, they rarely forget.
Kindness is not for one day. It is for a lifetime. How nice would it be if everyone who had the capacity to extend kindness, help, love, resources, encouragement did so:
Always aware of opportunities.
Stepping in the gap.
Filling the gap.
KINDNESS ALWAYS.
Random acts of kindness are great — but...
Most needs aren't solved easily or quickly. We don’t have to look far to see: Children growing up illiterate Elderly who are forgotten Broken marriages
Hurting hearts Grieving spirits Victims of abuse … Hatred ... Violence ... Poverty ... Hunger … The list is endless; the spectrum vast. Do we recognize these gaps around us? Yes, some people have made terrible choices that lead to horrible circumstances. They need kindness. Some have experienced tragic unfortunate circumstances out of their control. They need kindness.
Let us not grow weary of doing good. Let us do good to everyone. Galatians 6:9-10
Many hearts hurt.
Many feel cut off from the goodness of God.
That’s where our light can come in.
God is looking for men and women to stand in these gaps in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our nations, and in every corner of the world. People are in trouble! Many are weak, vulnerable, and in danger. If no one stands in the gap for them, it will be a catastrophe. In many cases, a series of catastrophes have already occurred, and the gap is even wider, and will continue to widen.
People in desperate need may have nothing to offer us in return for our care. That’s how Jesus loves us — unconditionally — and that’s what it means to love people in need, or people that are hurting.
He stepped out of the glory of heaven to earth, cared for the helpless and hopeless, and paid the price we could never pay for our freedom, healing, and purpose.
To stand in the gap, we must draw on the love, power, wisdom, and example of Jesus who stood in the gap for us.
When studying Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25:31-46, it impresses on my heart that this is what He requires of us — those who are free. When we serve in the gap, He considers that we’re actually pouring out our worship and love on Him.
I imagine that nothing pleases Him more.
Will we stand in these gaps? Will we stand in the gap for their sake and His glory? Will we exemplify love and kindness, daily to a hurting world? Kindness matters. Have you ever received kindness unexpectedly? Have you experienced love form someone when you have felt undeserving? Do you have a favorite scripture or quote about love and kindness? I'd love to hear from you.
Much love,
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