Dear Friends,
For just over two years now, I have been reflecting daily on the fruits of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22 (CEB), "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." After a full year on love, two months on joy, six months on peace (interrupted briefly by both Advent and Lent meditations), and two months on patience, I have arrived at the theme of kindness. And I have learned something about myself. I don't especially like the word "kindness."
When I think of kindness, I often think of the popular bumper sticker slogan, "Practice random acts of kindness." This honestly seems like an excellent idea. And I'm sure I sound like a terrible stick-in-the-mud. But, for some reason, the slogan's lightheartedness has always irritated me. I suppose it has always felt a bit hollow, like what I might describe as "compassion-lite." I think of people saying nice things they don't mean to people they dislike or giving away something they didn't want or need anyway. And I find myself wanting to respond, "No, practice intentional and radical acts of impactful generosity and compassion." But in today's world, where kindness seems to have gone out of fashion, I find myself rethinking this response.
I realize that I have brushed off the idea of kindness because I think of it as belonging to the little things in life. One problem with this is that kindness doesn't belong only to the little things. And another is that little things do matter and are ultimately inseparable from larger things. Titus 3:4-5 (NIV) describes God's kindness to humanity, saying, "We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." God's kindness, as described here, is radical and impactful to the extreme, not something small or insincere. Human attempts at kindness will always be smaller. But, if they are done in imitation of the kindness of God, then they are a thing of immeasurable beauty.
I might still like to argue for consistent and purposeful acts of kindness rather than random ones. But today, such an argument seems like a foolish word game. Another popular slogan reads, "If you can be anything, be kind." This may be much more profound advice than I have been willing to admit. And if one is seeking to become kind, perhaps random acts of kindness are an excellent place to start.
A prayer for today:
Jesus, teach me to be kind like you. Give me the patience to slow down, pay attention, and be careful with people. Give me empathy for those around me so that I can see what kindness they may need today. Don't let me overlook the seemingly small things that can mean so much or run from the big things where kindness has a cost. Be with me, and show me your way. Amen
Love in Christ,
Michelle
