February 3 – Do You See Kindness?

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3

It is catching. Not like a cold…but in a good way. When someone is kind to you, you want to be kind to others. When we realize deep in our hearts the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, in our gratitude we want to help others. The beginning of our kindness—showing God’s love to others. His love, including kindness, never changes. …God…pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession….He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. Micah 7:18 

 

We are called to be perfect. Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48. That is a tall order—who can really be perfect? But we are to strive for that. Perfect kindness has to come from one’s heart. One of my granddaughters has that kindness in her heart. Since she is almost five years old, she could be a real pain—but she’s a sweetie. Even when her brother or sister are mean to her, she is forgiving and really kind to them, forgiving them without being prompted to do so. She epitomizes the scripture in Ephesians. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 God has really blessed her…and our family with the kindness in her heart! 

 

Training Tip – Take another look at the character traits of your children. Do you see kindness? Encourage them when they do show kindness, that that would build them up and strength that trait in them.

There has been research done on the science of kindness. Amazing results. One reported that random acts of kindness can relieve stress. That may not be important to your children, but it should be to you. Read this one about a breast cancer survivor to inspire you: http://www.sys-con.com/node/1592701  

Lord – Thank you for blessing us with people in our family in whom You have instilled kindness in their very hearts. Please help the rest of us to be kind to each others, tender hearted and forgiving, like You, Christ.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.