A Good Dose Of Kindness
A Good Dose of Kindness
Proverbs 16:24 reads, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
It is amazing how far a little dose of kindness can take us. An encouraging word can change one’s whole focus from one of resignation to one of faith and hope. It can happen even when we speak to a stranger, but especially when we speak to a friend. Often we ask, “How are you?” If we aren’t careful we will act as if the frequently used answer, “Fine,” is really the truth. Maybe what we really need to do instead of just asking the familiar question is offer a good word, or serve up a good dose of kindness. It will take a minute or two longer, but how many times have we been touched with this fruit of the Spirit?
I remember a time when I was fresh out of seminary and appointed to a large membership church as an Associate Pastor. Just after I arrived, the Senior Pastor had a heart attack and for months was not able to preach or serve at that level. I “inherited” the spot. I had never worshipped in a large membership church, and had preached in one rarely. Now it was every Sunday, AM and PM. Wherever a pastor was needed, I was there. I was stretched, to say the least. One Sunday as I was waiting for the choir to enter I must have been showing the burden I was feeling. “Was I doing OK? Were the people having their needs met? Was Christ making a difference through me in this new setting?” All these questions came to my mind often. There was no evidence that things were not going well, but I sure did need some affirmation. Just then, as members of the choir filed by, one woman stopped, looked me in the eye and smiled, and with a pat on the shoulder she said, “You know we all love you don’t you?” Then, quick as a wink she turned to become a part of the robed processional. She gave me a gift that day. As this article reveals, I have never forgotten it.
How many people do we encounter each week that could use a good dose of kindness? Every good word we speak might be the difference-maker for someone. Every kind act we offer can lighten the load of another. Letting someone in during heavy traffic, preferring another instead of ourselves, taking the time to speak, or just demonstrating in some way that the other person is valuable all become “doses of kindness.” That is sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.
Someone needs you. Each one of us can become that “stand-out” person to bring sweetness to another’s day. But, this will not be automatic. It begins with being intentional. Kindness is released as we look for opportunities and follow through. Every Christian has the capacity to change his or her world by offering this fruit of the Spirit. Don’t sell kindness short. I offer you this thought. No act of kindness is small if we take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of the one who receives it. Let the Church be the Church. Let the fruit of the Spirit grow in you. There are many people in the world. Some go about making a difference with a good dose of kindness.
Blessings in Christ…Who was kind enough to come and meet us at the point of our need.
Brother Ron
