by Graham Mol
There is something that will always lift my day and that is kindness. Whether I am the one experiencing the kindness of others or if I have the opportunity to be kind to another, it always puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step. Maybe you can relate. Even if the act of kindness is such a small thing, like slowing down to let you into the lane, small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Be kind. That is one of the core teachings of the Bible. You may be thinking, where does it say that exactly? Well it’s contained in what has come to be known as the Golden Rule that Jesus taught us:
“Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.”
Luke 6:31 CSB
You may know the more traditional translation: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This principle is the epitome of kindness. We would all love people to be friendly and helpful, exhibiting kindness to us. We certainly don’t want to be on the receiving end of rudeness, impatience or even hostility.
Kindness has this incredible quality of brightening up the lives of others. It communicates to a person that they are worth your time and effort. That they are worth consideration. Everyone wants to feel significant. Even if one is “having a bad day” for whatever reason, an act of kindness, or even kind words spoken in kindness, can give that little lift to one’s mood.
Being kind is especially effective in an environment or society that is self-centred and preoccupied. So often the default is to expect indifference at best and outright rudeness at worst from the people around us. What a joy it is then in those moments to be surprised by kindness.
So today as we begin this new week I’d like to encourage you to follow Christ’s mandate: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you”. Be that ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Be kind.
God Bless
Graham
Wonderful Word Ps. Graham. Great encouragement for us to be a shining light in this dark World. Have a blessed week. John and Barbara