I struggled to find something to write after this. It is so deeply profound to me.
But then I realized that this is precisely what Paul was saying in 2nd Corinthians 6:6 from last week. The very way of life he expressed that he was following - including kindness - was specifically meant to do this thing: give evidence to how the love of God had melted his sinful heart and, in turn, work to present God in a way to melt the sinful hearts of others.
Do I seek to melt others hearts? Or do I hammer them?
W. in CA
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
We are most successful with real kindness when the love of Jesus shows through us, comforting others. That kind of love is paired with empathy and respect. We also, are a work in progress.
Hmm, wish I could edit this with a line separating Scripture from my 2 cents.
DeleteW - Browbeating people into following Christ never works, at least in the long term. Like any love affair, people will stay when they are attracted, not compelled.
Delete(I, too, wish there was an edit feature.)
Kindness costs nothing and the smiles that result from being shown kindness can brighten up a dull day......ask me how I know TB. The world needs more of this.
ReplyDeleteTB doesn't seem to be back home yet. So, I'll ask you, how do you know?
DeleteW. in CA
Nylon12, I can remember so many kindnesses offered to me years ago even today. People may forget what you do or who you are, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
DeleteKindness is one of the misunderstood gifts in my experience. Some see weakness. But it is anything but weak. And true kindness is God given, else it's manipulative (in my experience anyway). But it does bear weight... I guess the hammer of kindness has a small handle. Not for bashing but more for tapping. Like a chaser's hammer.
ReplyDeleteKindness keeps our regrets and internal bitterness about things we can't change to a much smaller portion in our lives. We can work good in other's lives and it blesses us also. With the Lord's help we are much more sincere and we know we did our best.
DeleteW. in CA
STxAR - Agreed that kindness is a misunderstood and not often used virtue. The perception of weakness is likely a real one: people often see kind and think "soft" - which is odd, because one can be strong and kind at the same time.
DeleteI like the idea of kindness as a small hammer for tapping, like a master gemstone cutter slowly working on a diamond.
W - Kindness may not take the sting out of everything, but it can help us to put our energy to use in a productive way.
DeleteI have seen a kind word totally change another person's demeanor. We never know what another is going through from how they look on the outside. Managing our emotions is a skill that seems very difficult (if not impossible) to learn. Sometimes having someone else not react to one's grumpiness defensively is all that's needed to break the ice.
ReplyDeleteYes, be friendly to all and see what happens. You will feel better for the effort. Pray for them, even if you don't know their name!
DeleteW. in CA
Leigh, kindness can often change the dynamics of any situation. It is funny (to me) that this is not something that is realized more often.
DeleteIt is also funny to me that so many people say "be kind", yet it is one of least practiced virtues.
W, scarcely have I had a kind word or action rebutted.
DeleteDunno, I like hammers. They get attention. I don't get many party invites, though.
ReplyDeleteJohn, hammers are a tool and, like any tool, have a purpose. And one can certainly point out that Christ (and Paul) used them on occasion. I suppose my concern is that if all anyone has is a hammer, everything looks like a nail to be hammered down - which is not always the case.
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