"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23
Though I hate to admit it, there are many days when I am not kind. When I let my impatience and irritation get the best of me. Those days I am snarky and snappy and crabby. Often I don't even know why I am reacting like an unruly child, or overreacting to, well, everything. There is just a sense of restlessness, an air of prickliness, a profound crankiness. Everywhere I go I feel like I am accompanied by the music played in Bugs Bunny when the bad guy appears. Bomp bomp, bomp bomp, bomp bomp, bomp bomp. These are also days when remorse rears its head and I weep for the people who have been on the receiving end of my grumpy attitude as I overthink how my obnoxious behaviour has affected them. Believing they will never forgive me when in reality most of them weren't even bothered and carried on with their day as if nothing ever happened. "Good grief, Charlie Brown!"
Then there are other days, when I look beyond myself and am able to extend some sort of small kindness to others or to receive a blessing from a gentle person. Most of us find the latter harder than the giving but the need to be gracious is imperative for both. In our community, meals and flowers are exchanged when someone has passed away or is ill. If there is work to be done, people come together in a work bee to lift one more burden from the back of one who is suffering. Fundraisers abound to help those with financial stresses in times of need. Yet the compassionate acts that are unexpected, those that come or go at just the right time, are tender gifts best loved. And if they are done in anonymity, all the better. They get our warm fuzzies going and produce a bursting grateful heart overflowing with love.
But is that what kindness is all about? Is it just about being good to one another? A feel-good action and then we are on our merry way? The questions bounced around my brain and I sought to find the answer.
In the verse from Galatians 5:22-23, kindness is mentioned as one fruit the Spirit provides. The Greek word for kind is chrestotes (khary-stot-ace). The meaning of the word does confirm the importance of benevolent actions to another but its meaning holds so much more. It is a way of being. There is a purity about it that also includes having a tender and gentle disposition. It is a matter of character and attitude even to people we'd rather not deal with or with those who would rather not deal with us. How easy it is to be kind and giving to those who love us, yet more difficult to allow others to give us a slap on the cheek and turn and offer the other. (Matthew 5:39) Kindness is not an inherent natural quality. It is a gift from God given by the power of His Spirit.
The greatest kindness I have ever received is truth given in love. When my steps become wayward and confusion bars the path, there are those who love me enough and will, in His loving kindness, help to clear the way and set me straight on the road home once more. It doesn't always feel like kindness in the beginning, but I am grateful for those who persevere and for a God who confirms the truth. It isn't always easy to share the truth either but it's priceless to those who will receive it. A parcel to unpack along one's faith journey.
The ultimate kindness for me was to be introduced to Jesus. To learn of His grace, mercy and forgiveness. To learn of the price He paid for my debt. He loves even me, just the way I am. He loves even you, just the way you are. On Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection power that saved all humanity if only we would ask and believe. Perhaps an opportunity will be opened for us to share that ultimate kindness with a fellow faith traveller, to share the Saviour Himself.
Then there are other days, when I look beyond myself and am able to extend some sort of small kindness to others or to receive a blessing from a gentle person. Most of us find the latter harder than the giving but the need to be gracious is imperative for both. In our community, meals and flowers are exchanged when someone has passed away or is ill. If there is work to be done, people come together in a work bee to lift one more burden from the back of one who is suffering. Fundraisers abound to help those with financial stresses in times of need. Yet the compassionate acts that are unexpected, those that come or go at just the right time, are tender gifts best loved. And if they are done in anonymity, all the better. They get our warm fuzzies going and produce a bursting grateful heart overflowing with love.
But is that what kindness is all about? Is it just about being good to one another? A feel-good action and then we are on our merry way? The questions bounced around my brain and I sought to find the answer.
In the verse from Galatians 5:22-23, kindness is mentioned as one fruit the Spirit provides. The Greek word for kind is chrestotes (khary-stot-ace). The meaning of the word does confirm the importance of benevolent actions to another but its meaning holds so much more. It is a way of being. There is a purity about it that also includes having a tender and gentle disposition. It is a matter of character and attitude even to people we'd rather not deal with or with those who would rather not deal with us. How easy it is to be kind and giving to those who love us, yet more difficult to allow others to give us a slap on the cheek and turn and offer the other. (Matthew 5:39) Kindness is not an inherent natural quality. It is a gift from God given by the power of His Spirit.
The greatest kindness I have ever received is truth given in love. When my steps become wayward and confusion bars the path, there are those who love me enough and will, in His loving kindness, help to clear the way and set me straight on the road home once more. It doesn't always feel like kindness in the beginning, but I am grateful for those who persevere and for a God who confirms the truth. It isn't always easy to share the truth either but it's priceless to those who will receive it. A parcel to unpack along one's faith journey.
The ultimate kindness for me was to be introduced to Jesus. To learn of His grace, mercy and forgiveness. To learn of the price He paid for my debt. He loves even me, just the way I am. He loves even you, just the way you are. On Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection power that saved all humanity if only we would ask and believe. Perhaps an opportunity will be opened for us to share that ultimate kindness with a fellow faith traveller, to share the Saviour Himself.
May each of us be transformed by God into a person of continual kindness and may your Easter season be blessed.
Sharon Heagy writes from the little town of Rockglen, which is nestled in the hills of southern Saskatchewan. Her kids have flown the coop so she and her husband have retired to town. She writes to inspire and give hope with a chuckle or two along the way.
"Good grief, Charlie Brown!" - Charles M. Schultz
You've unpacked a lot here, Sharon, for us to think about. Like you, it's my heart's desire "to be transformed by God into a person of continual kindness". That's the best fruit. I'm so grateful for His kindness and so grateful for the kindness of others to me, especially in those times when I haven't been so gracious in the first place. Thank you for your lovely words today. Blessed Easter to you, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bren. Any fruit of His I’ll eat!
DeleteI loved this post, Sharon. Thank you. (I might contact you in regard to the August issue: "The Writers' Truth" since this resonates on that theme.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tracy. Encouraging as always. Big hugs.
DeleteThank you, Sharon, for these lovely and honest words. Although we don't always feel like being kind, we can draw on the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about kindness. I love the idea of kindness as a way of being. A blessed holy week and Easter to you.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your words, Lorrie. They are always a kindness to me.
DeleteI resonated a lot with this Sharon. Truth be told I struggle daily with my moods and how I treat those closest to me. I often wish I was a kinder person but as you said it is a Fruit which means we must nourish and work for it. It comes by relying on God and not me. I find you a very kind person and have often felt your compassionate heart and it most definitely shows up in your writing!
ReplyDeleteGloria Guest
Thanks so much, Gloria. I know your words to always be true and heartfelt. Thanks my friend
DeleteI had tears in my eyes at the beginning, I think that was because I recognized myself in your words, Sharon. And I was glad to learn the Greek word and its meaning for kind. I don’t want to forget any of it. This was a lovely read for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra.We can be ‘kindness accountable’ to each other and grow together in Him.
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