In our cruel and sad world, we should be kind.

Be Kind

Some think kindness is old-fashioned and unnecessary. Corporate ladders demonstrate the importance of achieving, and work environments can be competitive to the point of toxicity. Even when we play, we strive to win. In my family, watching Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune encourages talking over each other and celebrating correct answers.

It’s not surprising that we teach children to become achievers and encourage them to win, often at any cost. We expect kids to do better, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or in after-school activities such as cheerleading, baseball, swimming, chess club, 4-H, gymnastics, and more. They strive for the top and push for the win, but they forget kindness.

My pre-retirement job involves working in an after-school program with ninety kids every afternoon. About two weeks into this new venture, I discovered basic kindness was not innate. I was surprised by how naturally cruel and unkind third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders can be to one another. I decided to model kindness with each interaction. Kindness is important.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

~Proverbs 3:3 NLT

This verse reminds us that loyalty and kindness should always be present. It further suggests we keep loyalty and kindness on us, like wearing a reminder on a necklace. The verse also says we are to keep loyalty and kindness in us. Nothing beats a person who has a loyal and kind heart. Those people are my favorite. 

But here’s the kicker: keeping loyalty and kindness on us and in us has a payoff, as the next verse says.

Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

~Proverbs 3:4 NLT

By keeping kindness close, three promises will come our way: we will find favor with God, we will find favor with people, and we will earn a good reputation.

Looks like God is pretty serious about kindness. Therefore, maybe we should be, too.

Be Practical

Showing kindness is not difficult. We can smile when it’s not expected, hold the door for someone, check in with a distant friend, or buy a stranger coffee. Or, let an ornery fourth-grader off with just a warning instead of giving a time-out on the playground.

Kindness makes a difference to others, in our world, and to God.

Think of some simple ways you can trickle kindness to others daily. 

Father, in a world that often feels sad and unkind, remind me of the value You place on kindness. Help me hear Your Spirit, so that I may intentionally and cheerfully do kind acts to others whom You place in my path. In Jesus’ name, amen

Genre: Nonfiction

Copyright 2024: Kindness Matters: Cynthia Mendenhall: All Rights Reserved