Three Questions about Kindness

What is an act of Kindness?

     We all have an idea of what kindness is, but what is it?  Kindness is an action.  It is

Love.  When we show others kindness we give them something without expecting

anything in return.  As a christian this is one of the most important things we should do

in living the life that the Father has given us through His Son.  We  should love our

neighbor as ourselves.  

     Yesterday, as I was watering the plants in the front yard, I noticed the grass needed

to be cut.  I told myself that I would do that Sunday afternoon when it would be cooler.

I didn't waste another thought about it as it was on my to-do list. My wife and I enjoyed

the rest of the day spending time together.  We took care of the garden and loved being

with each other. We were shocked by hearing of the loss of a friend and talked about

the strong faith of his family and how that faith in Christ would get them through this

difficult time. We prayed and went to bed.

     When we got up this morning and were getting ready for Church we heard the

familiar sound of a lawnmower running.  Our dogs started barking at the front door.  As

I went to look out the front, there was my neighbor mowing my yard.  I was moved by

his kindness. This wasn't the first time he has done this for us. In the past two years

as we were recovering from surgeries and lengthy illnesses he would cut our

lawn just being a good neighbor.   I went over and touched his shoulder and told him 

thank-you.  He said it was nothing.  I shared with him my heartfelt blessing of

showing this christian what really it is to be a neighbor.  I love this neighbor,

he shows love more than some Christians I know. He doesn't have to cut my

grass.  He understands what it is to be full of kindness. He shared with me that

as soon as he gets done, he will cut another friends yard.  He was moved by my

thanks.  My neighbor opened my soul to what being full of love means by

showing through his action what a good neighbor truly is. 

Why do we fail in sharing Kindness with others?

     We fail in sharing kindness with others by not bringing action to the words we speak

or hear or by not fleshing them out each and everyday.  Why do we do this?   We get

caught up in the busyness of life and forget that we need to bring action to the words

written in the Bible about loving the Lord, others and ourselves.  It's because of our

selfish sinful nature.   We want what we want when we want it.  Often forgetting that life

in Christ is sharing, living, and loving those around us.  If we don't love or encourage 

others we miss the blessing of life.  The blessing is the gift we share.  I could have

gotten upset about my neighbor cutting my grass, but what would that have done?

Nothing, but alienating and showing him how ungrateful and selfish I am.  I wasn't

going to deny him the blessing of gifting us with kindness.  That would 

have been wrong in so many different ways.  I wanted him to know how much I

sincerely appreciated his gift.  His gift to us enabled me to see the grace of Jesus this

morning in the most simple way.  Thank-you. My mind was opened to the reality of

being kind to others. This was a true biblical lesson in the flesh.

How can we give Kindness to others?

     We can give the gift of kindness to others by simply doing.  This one is simple.  Put it

into action.  This example is simply an illustration, when you go to get a drink for

yourself grab your significant others glass and fill it first. Don't ask just do it.  If you

notice that someone is looking for something, assist them.  If you see a need in helping

someone else then go and do it. The key is doing without looking for acknowledgment

or credit.  It should be something that you can do without anyone knowing that you did

it. If you can't do it without someone seeing or acknowledging it do it anyway.  Accept

the responsibility to bring kindness to the front.  We've all heard the statement, "Pay it

forward."   Give it away by acting with a loving heart and you'll release the kindness that

God has blessed you with.  Loving Kindness is an Action. Make it happen.