I was in church one day when one of the pastors introduced me to a lady who had walked into church for the first time that day. He asked me to show her around and tell her about our church.

So I walked around with this lady and she started to tell me about her life. It was obvious that she had a lot going on and she was telling me everything almost as if trying to explain or justify why she was where she was. I told her that she didn’t have to tell me anything at all, that she was accepted just as she was. She relaxed a bit and we chatted about this and that, I showed her around, answered her questions and got her a cup of tea (in England, tea makes everything that much nicer!).

When it was time for her to leave, she turned to me and said “thank you for being kind to me”. I was floored!! Her thanking me for being kind told me that nobody was kind to her. All I had done was talk with her, show her around and give her a cup of tea…..seemingly insignificant, but to her, it showed kindness. Oh my heart!!

It was one of those “AHA” moments. It made me realize that not everyone is shown kindness…sort of obvious you’d think? But is it? It also made me realize that kindness is such a simple yet profound thing. It made me realize that I’d been kind without realizing it. If we extend kindness without realizing it, imagine how much more we could do if we were really intentional about being kind!! WOW!!

The definition of kindness is this: An action without expected return, advantage or praise, a value of and concern for others, with an attitude of warm-heartedness, affection, care and gentleness…which costs you nothing!

Kindness is a choice to take your eyes off yourself and see the needs of others. It knows no race, sex or religion. It recognizes that it is not about me. Kindness tells someone that they are valued, irreplaceable, seen, considered and thought about and that they matter!

Of all the habits that we can pick up in this day and age, kindness is a habit that changes and impacts not only the person receiving it, but the person showing it.

Kindness is a fruit of the spirit and it gives insight into the condition of our hearts.

Matthew 5:47 says: “ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

Proverbs 31:26 “When she speaks, her words are wise and she gives instruction with kindness”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to each other, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ Jesus has forgiven you”