Kindness is a rare attribute
Kindness or playing nice! We certainly can be nice to anyone but are we kind? The difference here is that being nice is agreeable, pleasant, another words being nice. Therefore, kindness is a rare attribute. Kindness is wearing humility and grace with love for others. Like Jesus loves us.
However, being nice doesn’t mean you like them, or choose to associate with them. We can be nice to perfect strangers when we smile at them, hold a door open for somebody, but it doesn’t mean we are kind. Think of a person you choose not to be around, maybe your neighbor, you just don’t really click. But when you see them, you wave, say hello, have a nice day. All small talk and nothing more.
On the other hand, being kind is also going out of your way to do something charitable for someone, thinking about the other person’s feelings, being generous. Usually for most of us this would be someone we hold very close to our heart and care very deeply for. And without being possessive. If you want others to think highly of you, than be interested in them. You may not agree with everybody, but you can be respectful, kind and charitable. Afterall we are not all the same and kindness is a rare attribute.
Humility pays huge dividends
Let me share with you someone very close to me who is the kindest person I know. My wife Gina! She is always thinking of others and many times before herself. Gina is respectful to everyone in her path and is quick to be helpful. The one thing that separates her from others is she listens intuitively, and people notice her geniality and kind nature. For this Gina is held in high regard by others because they feel good about themselves when they talk with her, even when they are thinking about Gina.
Gina will call people just to check in with them and ask if they need anything. Friends this isn’t once a month or once a week, this is a daily regimen for her. Just like taking a shower. For the most part it is providing a listening ear. She’ll spend a lot of time helping people who are in recovery from alcohol and being supportive, and caring. If you know anyone like Gina, I encourage you to applaud them, because quite honestly most people are more interested in themselves.
More Devotionals like this https://thomasbrattonauthor.com/remaining-calm/
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
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I just added my newest addition “Anchored in Kindness” a 30 day devotional with prayers
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, think of others better than yourself. Don’t only look out for your own ambitions but take an interest in others too. Philippians 2:3–4 (NLT)
Pray with Me:
Father in Heaven, with all the busyness in the world, I find it hard to be kind at time. I know kindness is your nature, help me to be more like you, and I pray whomever I come in contact with, would see your kindness through me. Let me lend a listening ear and a kind heart, with humility and grace. In Jesus name, Amen…
