Kindness: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

October 4, 2017 - Several years ago I was involved in a serious automobile accident. It was devastating to my family and our friends. I remember laying in the hospital in ICU and asking God how will this all work out. I had lost my wife. I could not go back to work. I couldn't even care for myself. I had a daughter that had been planning a wedding that was to happen in just a few weeks and it was during the holiday season. 

I couldn't imagine how I was going to survive this tragedy. And then "IT" happened. People from all over the county and country, for that matter, began not to offer to help, but just jumped in, both feet, "cannon-balling " if you will, into my families lives. There were women who made the wedding happen, brought food everyday, helped with cleaning. Men showed up at my home and helped me with standing when I needed and daily hygiene. One friend took over paying my bills for me and managing my business while I was unable to do so. Then there were the other professionals who gave up their vacations and came from literally all over the country to work, so I wouldn't have to close my office or have my patients be left without care.

Many others cut grass, built wheelchair ramps, wrapped pipes for winter and on and on the list goes. It was the most amazing display of kindness that I had ever experienced and probably ever will. My family and I will never forget those who showed us such kindness at a time when we were so vulnerable. Kindness is contagious. 

I have noticed that people generally respond to you in the same way that you approach them. For example; If you start a conversation out with hurtful and confrontational language you can expect the person with whom you are speaking to respond to you with anger and resentment. However if you approach people with a kindness you will usually be responded to with kindness. Mark Twain is quoted as saying that "Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Kindness is a language that is spoken only from the heart. It cannot be faked. An act of kindness no matter what the intention, always produces a positive result, if only for a moment.

Kindness is included in the fruit of the Spirit because it to, is an out growth of the love that God has put in our hearts. Colossians 3:12 tells us " Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." This virtue is one that all Christians should posses. If we can't be anything else, we can be kind to others.
I have watched people leave church and go into restaurants and be rude and obnoxious to the waitress. Kindness is an action. We can't just say we have kindness, we have to act out kindness for it to be real. As the Holy Spirit works in our own lives, kindness grows out of that love that He puts in our hearts. In Titus 3:3-7 the writer tells us "

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior". Kindness is the fruit that regenerates itself. When it is given, all ways comes back to you. It truly is "the gift that keeps on giving".

You see God showed us kindness in "that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us". God loves us more than we deserve and we can demonstrate that same kind of love to others, through kindness. Gods kindness is extended to you through His love. You can receive it by just accepting it. Start today, living out kindness. It will change your whole perspective on life.

I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard