compassion.
tenderness.
helpfulness.
gentleness.
generosity.
selflessness.
forgiveness.
Galatians 5:22 says it is a "fruit of the Spirit."
Ephesians 4:32 says "and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
When I think of kindness, I think of two things:
Someone who is gentle and sweet.
Someone who goes out of their way for others.
My husband is very gentle and sweet. I knew I wanted to marry a man who was good with children, and I am blessed to say that I did. One of the (many) things I love about my husband is that he is so generous with his time. He will go out of his way for ANYONE. Even if it means less sleep and inconvenience. I have always described him as kind in that way.
I struggle with both of those things. I can get snippy. I do NOT like to be inconvenienced....so I always hesitated to label myself "kind."
Thankfully, I think my husband is rubbing off on me - s.l.o.w.l.y!
God has really convicted my heart about making excuses based on my "nature." Just because kindness doesn't come easy for me (like it does for Jason) - doesn't mean I shouldn't be doing it.
One of my favorite woman of the Bible is Ruth. Her faithfulness and kindness to Naomi are humbling. Ruth kept her promises - not only to Naomi, but to God. Ruth traveled from her own home to that of a stranger's. She embraced different customs and ate weird food. She made her self poor and sought only to help her mother-in-law.
Ruth was gentle, sweet, and went out of her way to honor God.
When I am faced with an inconvenience (with children those happen often), I can honor God by not getting frustrated.
When I am confronted with a bad attitude from someone else, tenderness and grace honors God.
When I am asked to go out of my way, helpfulness honors God.
When I have to forgo watching TV to rock a fussy baby, gentleness and selflessness honors God.
When I have been wronged, forgiveness honors God.
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