Showing Kindness

 

Continuing our Lenten series and focusing on Colossians 3:12, we move into kindness.  This should be easy enough – who isn’t kind?  Let us spend time with that question, who isn’t kind?  Remember, Lent is a time for us to truly self-reflect, and if I spend time on that question, there are a number of times when I may not have been kind. 

·         In moments of frustration, my response may lack kindness.

·         When my plan is not supported by others, my response may lack kindness.

·         If reactions coming from others are not kind, my response may certainly lack kindness.

There are plenty of instances where my reaction has not been blanketed in kindness.  Defining kindness, one can say it is the quality of being friendly or generous.  Do you find that you have had moments such as this – even with your friends never mind those that may be considered acquaintances or strangers?  Forget kindness, I may have responded rudely.  As I reflect, I see this happening with those that I am closest to, that I feel safe to respond ‘any way I want’ without focusing on the fact that my closest family members and friends are those I should be kindest towards.

There have been times, as much as I hate to admit this in such a public forum, when my children may have wanted my attention when they were little, and I did not respond in kindness.  In fact, I may have responded with a sense of annoyance.  Their timing was off, and I was busy with other things, only to feel horrible a few seconds later when I responded with a lack of kindness.

Once again, we focus on the life of Jesus as our example of kindness.  To me, nothing expresses Jesus’ love through kindness more than when He invited the children to come to Him.  As the disciples rebuked those who were bringing their children to Jesus, Jesus’ response was one of kindness.  “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  Mark 10:14. Jesus’ kindness through love has a variety of scenarios that talk to us, as humans, on how we should react in kindness.

Imagine a world where we did not experience Jesus’ kindness.  More importantly, imagine a world where we were not the source of Jesus’ kindness.  My friends, it is not easy to express kindness in all situations.  Yet, especially in today’s world, kindness is needed each and every day.  We have joy for we have experienced Jesus’ love and kindness through his journey to the cross.  May we be the kindness that needs to be seen in the world around us.  Let us take the first step of kindness to a stranger – offering a cup of coffee, a smile, a moment of our time, a warm meal, a soft touch.  The world speaks of random acts of kindness.  What time better than now, than today, to act upon Jesus’ love in kindness!  Do you know how?  Have simple faith that Jesus will show you – just ask!

Dearest Jesus, your examples of kindness inspire us to be better people here on earth.  Guide us and teach us through your Holy Spirit to be kind in our actions, our responses, and our lives.  In your kind and loving name, we pray.  Amen!