In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey tells of spending an evening with his two sons, Sean and Stephen. They did some things together and then went to see a movie. It seems that Sean, only 4-years-old, couldn’t quite stay awake to the end and fell asleep. Covey gently picked his son up in his arms, carried him to the car, and then laid him in the back seat. Since it was somewhat cold, Covey took off his coat and carefully placed it over him. Then they drove home.
Later that evening, when Covey went to tuck in 6-year-old Stephen, he asked his son what he liked most about the evening. Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t in the mood to talk. Instead he turned his face to the wall and started to cry. Covey was concerned and asked his son what he was crying about. With his chin quivering and tears in his eyes, little Stephen looked up at Covey and said, “Daddy, if I were cold would you put your coat around me too?” Of all the things they did together that night, what stood out in Stephen’s mind was a simple act of kindness that his father had shown to his younger brother.
Kindness. It’s something that we don’t see a lot of these days. People talk about being kind. And how important it is. But they don’t always act kind. In our self-absorbed, fast-paced world people are often un-kind instead. They say unkind things to others or say them behind their back. They flip others off in traffic. They pass by those who have a need. They use and abuse others. No, our world is not the kindest of places at times. Yet, at the same time, it cries out for kindness.
When Jesus walked this earth He was kind. In fact, He was nothing short of radical in the kindness that He showed others. He was kind to Samaritans. To women. To children. To the bereaved. To notorious sinners. As Christians, we are called to be like Jesus. To be kind. This is the command from the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:32. “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” The fact is that kindness ought to come to us as naturally as breathing. We do kind things to others because we are kind. It’s one of the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s who we are in our very being.
The amazing thing about kindness is that it truly is the thought that counts. For little Stephen Covey it was as simple as having his father being willing to cover him up with his coat, if needed. For someone around us kindness could be a hug. Or a smile. Taking the time to talk. Holding open a door. Letting someone cut in front of us in traffic. There are literally a thousand different ways that we can show kindness to others on any given day. The reality is that kindness costs us so little. But it means so much to others.
Later that evening, when Covey went to tuck in 6-year-old Stephen, he asked his son what he liked most about the evening. Unfortunately, Stephen wasn’t in the mood to talk. Instead he turned his face to the wall and started to cry. Covey was concerned and asked his son what he was crying about. With his chin quivering and tears in his eyes, little Stephen looked up at Covey and said, “Daddy, if I were cold would you put your coat around me too?” Of all the things they did together that night, what stood out in Stephen’s mind was a simple act of kindness that his father had shown to his younger brother.
Kindness. It’s something that we don’t see a lot of these days. People talk about being kind. And how important it is. But they don’t always act kind. In our self-absorbed, fast-paced world people are often un-kind instead. They say unkind things to others or say them behind their back. They flip others off in traffic. They pass by those who have a need. They use and abuse others. No, our world is not the kindest of places at times. Yet, at the same time, it cries out for kindness.
When Jesus walked this earth He was kind. In fact, He was nothing short of radical in the kindness that He showed others. He was kind to Samaritans. To women. To children. To the bereaved. To notorious sinners. As Christians, we are called to be like Jesus. To be kind. This is the command from the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:32. “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” The fact is that kindness ought to come to us as naturally as breathing. We do kind things to others because we are kind. It’s one of the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s who we are in our very being.
The amazing thing about kindness is that it truly is the thought that counts. For little Stephen Covey it was as simple as having his father being willing to cover him up with his coat, if needed. For someone around us kindness could be a hug. Or a smile. Taking the time to talk. Holding open a door. Letting someone cut in front of us in traffic. There are literally a thousand different ways that we can show kindness to others on any given day. The reality is that kindness costs us so little. But it means so much to others.
A number of years ago someone came out with the saying, “Commit random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” This ought to be the slogan of every Christian. We are called to make a difference in this world. One of the best ways that we can do this is by being kind. Kind to family members. Friends. Neighbors. Co-workers. Fellow Christians. Complete strangers.So, let’s get this on our radar screen. Let’s make it a point that every day we commit some random act of kindness. Who knows but that a single act of kindness done by us might make an eternal difference in the life of someone else.
Lord, I thank you for the kindness that You have extended to me. In so many different ways. Give me plenty of opportunities to be kind to others. In so doing, may I be an encouragement to them. And point the way to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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