Kindness Matters
As we were raising our children, we continually stressed to them to show kindness
to other people. When we lived in Minneapolis, we had an open-door policy with
the kids in the neighborhood: “There is always room for one more at the table.” Of
course, I never verbalized it, but the kids knew our home was a safe place and so
did their parents. I have said to my kids since they were small, “Being kind never
hurt anyone. If your kind act or word is rejected don’t let that stop you from
spreading it. Maybe they were having a bad day, but, either way, it’s their loss.”.
A quote came across my desk: “Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in
the world and people remember you.” This statement has been my experience
personally. Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity,
consideration, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward. Kindness
comes from the heart and is genuine, and, according to Wikipedia, is one of the
main topics in the Bible.
Your kindness has an effect on other people by making them feel valued. It has
been shown to increase self-esteem, provide empathy and compassion, and
improve mood. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others,
which can directly impact loneliness, improve low mood, and enhance
relationships in general.
It can also be contagious. Every person wants to feel valued, and you come along
and brighten their day. Recently, I went to the store today to buy groceries. I went
through the self-checkout counter, bagged my groceries, and reached in my pocket
for my debit card. It wasn’t there. I was so embarrassed. Then the lady next to me
said, “Let me pay for your groceries.” I was speechless. She smiled at me and said,
“No worries, just pay it forward.” I thanked her and left the store with my groceries
and a huge smile on my face. That was truly an act of kindness.
The Bible speaks of many who displayed kindness. One example was Rahab who
expected kindness in return for her kindness to the spies (Joshua 2:12,14). Also,
Joseph expected kindness from the cupbearer in return for the interpretation of a
dream (Genesis 40:14). In this sense, kindness was distinct from mercy or
compassion, which was more of an emotion, and from grace which was not as
strongly associated with covenant keeping. I realized in time, however, the
concepts of kindness, mercy, and grace intermingled.
Kindness is included in lists of human virtues. It can be understood as helpfulness
to others prompted by an experience of God's redemptive love: “But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23 NIV)
The greatest act of kindness comes from our Heavenly Father. His kindness toward
us through Christ is equivalent to His grace and embodies the fullness of salvation
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we
are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:8-10 NIV)
to other people. When we lived in Minneapolis, we had an open-door policy with
the kids in the neighborhood: “There is always room for one more at the table.” Of
course, I never verbalized it, but the kids knew our home was a safe place and so
did their parents. I have said to my kids since they were small, “Being kind never
hurt anyone. If your kind act or word is rejected don’t let that stop you from
spreading it. Maybe they were having a bad day, but, either way, it’s their loss.”.
A quote came across my desk: “Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in
the world and people remember you.” This statement has been my experience
personally. Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity,
consideration, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward. Kindness
comes from the heart and is genuine, and, according to Wikipedia, is one of the
main topics in the Bible.
Your kindness has an effect on other people by making them feel valued. It has
been shown to increase self-esteem, provide empathy and compassion, and
improve mood. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others,
which can directly impact loneliness, improve low mood, and enhance
relationships in general.
It can also be contagious. Every person wants to feel valued, and you come along
and brighten their day. Recently, I went to the store today to buy groceries. I went
through the self-checkout counter, bagged my groceries, and reached in my pocket
for my debit card. It wasn’t there. I was so embarrassed. Then the lady next to me
said, “Let me pay for your groceries.” I was speechless. She smiled at me and said,
“No worries, just pay it forward.” I thanked her and left the store with my groceries
and a huge smile on my face. That was truly an act of kindness.
The Bible speaks of many who displayed kindness. One example was Rahab who
expected kindness in return for her kindness to the spies (Joshua 2:12,14). Also,
Joseph expected kindness from the cupbearer in return for the interpretation of a
dream (Genesis 40:14). In this sense, kindness was distinct from mercy or
compassion, which was more of an emotion, and from grace which was not as
strongly associated with covenant keeping. I realized in time, however, the
concepts of kindness, mercy, and grace intermingled.
Kindness is included in lists of human virtues. It can be understood as helpfulness
to others prompted by an experience of God's redemptive love: “But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23 NIV)
The greatest act of kindness comes from our Heavenly Father. His kindness toward
us through Christ is equivalent to His grace and embodies the fullness of salvation
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we
are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:8-10 NIV)