Kindness is Shown by Meeting Others’ Needs
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be able to love you by serving you. Amen.
READ:
“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” Acts 28:1-2
“Then he prayed, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.’” Genesis 24:12-14
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Recently my wife was getting ready to make waffles. When she got out our waffle iron it reminded me of the kindness people showed us when we moved to the Bay Area in California for me to teach at San Jose Bible College. The waffle iron was one that was given to us by a family in Central California. We were there representing the college and the family served us waffles. My wife mentioned that our waffle iron had just died that week. When we got back to their house that evening, they gave us the new waffle iron we are still using. This is just one example of how individuals in the Bay Area reached out to make us feel welcome and at home in Northern California. Through their acts of kindness, we were able to feel their support and it made all the difference in our time serving at the college
APPLY:
Take time this week to perform that “random act of kindness” that will help meet the needs of others. Many in our community have benefited by the work of Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N Ministries) which helps individuals with “Honey Do” projects when they cannot do it themselves. There are many other opportunities; we just need to be aware of them.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Loving father,
Thank you for calling us to a spirit of kindness and gentleness.
In a world where the loudest and the angriest take up all the air,
you've commanded us to lead out with a gentle spirit of love.
This does not mean we are to sit back and remain complacent,
rather it means it calls us to servant leadership that will speak for itself.
Teach us to be humble, full of warmth and Christlike tenderness as we walk through life.
Through your spirit, lead us to move in compassion.
Amen.