The Gift of Kindness
Are you searching for the perfect gift to capture the feelings of your heart and show your family and friends just how much you love them? Focus your attention on those around you and discover ways to demonstrate one of the greatest gifts ever—the gift of kindness! This gift of kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and respectful of the feelings and needs of others. Kindness is a remarkable gift that keeps on giving. It will strengthen your relationships and bring more satisfaction to your life. Kindness pays dividends, and expressing this quality will greatly facilitate you being liked and respected. Your words and deeds of kindness will be remembered long after your funeral with every mention of your name. Kindness isn’t a trait of the weak and wimpy; it’s a hallmark attribute of those who share the loving heart of God.
If you want to be kind, then have eyes to see when others are suffering. Jesus once told the story of a man who “fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and de-parted, leaving him half dead” (Luke 10:30). Others passed by and veered away from his hour of need, “but a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion” (Luke 10:33). His kind actions made all the difference! To-day, it only takes a kind word, a warm smile, or a small deed of compassion to change someone’s life. Spotting and serving the needs of others is a power greater than that of any superhero!
If you want to be kind, then be quick to compliment and be slow to condemn. Those who are skilled in the art of kindness are specialists at giving “honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7). They are always ready to celebrate those they love and willing to lavish others with frequent, genuine, and heartfelt praise. On the other hand, they shun any comments or conduct that might insult or malign another. As Jesus warned, “judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2). Kindness keeps us from being critical, fault-finding, rude, and insensitive. Kindness is giving someone the benefit of the doubt and trying to understand their situation before rushing ahead with judgment. When failures must be confronted, kindness guides us to do so in a gentle way to most benefit the other person.
If you want to be kind, then treat others how you want to be treated. The Savior once said, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Kindness is about treating others the best you can no matter who they are or how you feel about them. It’s taking the high road and choosing to be kind even when others hurt you and let you down. Kindness is doing what is best for the other person even if you will not get the same in return. Deciding to be kind is to make the choice to extend the same mercy, grace, and love of God from which you have benefited to others.
In a world that can often be crabby, irritable, and rude, let’s just be kind! Choosing kindness will help us to fulfill our part to make this world a better, brighter, and more civilized place. Let’s make a special resolution this holiday season to restore kindness back to its rightful place in society and demonstrate the love and kindness of Christ to all around us.
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
