The Power of Kindness – Part 1
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Sometimes we think that in order to be successful we have to be tough, hard-nosed, and stoic in how we relate to others. Some folks even go so far as to interpret kindness as weakness and vulnerability. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kindness signals tremendous inner strength that others not only appreciate, but respect. Aesop wrote a fable in which the wind and the sun argued over who was the stronger. ‘Do you see that old man down there?’ the wind asked. ‘I can make him take off his coat quicker than you can.’ The sun agreed to duck behind a cloud while the wind blew up a storm. But the harder the wind blew the more firmly the traveler wrapped his coat around him. Eventually the wind gave up and the sun reappeared, smiling kindly upon the old man. Before long he mopped his brow, shed his heavy coat and strolled away. The sun knew the secret: Warmth, friendliness, and a gentle touch are always more effective than force and fury. Jesus was hard on hypocrites and those who took advantage of others. But to everyone else, including society’s rejects, He showed great kindness. He came into an unkind, dog-eat-dog, every-man-for-himself culture where there were no mental health institutions, hospitals, orphanages, or organizations of mercy. Yet He poured the milk of human kindness into every bowl of human suffering. And at the cross He demonstrated the ultimate cost of kindness – and in so doing, changed the world for all time. So, ‘Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves’ (Romans 12:10).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be an agent of Mercy and Compassion to others in my day to day dealing with the people that You place in my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Tim, in a world where we are feeling so helpless right now. Where I feel as if all I have struggled for is being bulldozed away, I read your letter and am reminded of the truth once again that one persons heart can change another and in time that can change the hearts of the many.
This is a difficult time right now for many but I will speak to my group the end of the boomers, I’m 60. Just got my widows benefits, tired of the aloneness of the world, frightened of all the backsliding and disrespect. There is no place in the church for us, as church is so geared to families. (Not directed at your faith or church-generally)
Tim, thank you for the beautiful comfort dogs. I love them all so much and I haven’t met a one. My heart breaks went one moves to the kingdom, yet what a joy. When Jackson and Louie were shot along with their team my heart stopped and we had to practice our faith of forgiveness in the face of adversity. Sweet Ladels cancer has given me the opportunity to believe in good outcomes. She continues to amaze me. Dogs do exactly what we need to do, live for and in one day. I believe I heard you preach on that. (on the internet) we truly forget that is all we have by grace and to be grateful and thankful for it every night.
I think I wrote this to me, I’m feeling much better. The day ahead is bright.
In Gods glory,
Dawn Christopher