Today I want to talk to you a bit about little kindnesses. In the Bible we see time and again where the Scriptures say, “He was moved with compassion” or “His loving kindness”.
Little kindnesses are like a kiss from the Father.
Loving-kindness – you know, like when the waitress brings you the wrong meal and you don’t go off on her, but you are kind in your words and sincere in your appreciation for her hard work.
You know what loving-kindness is.
It’s when you show patience at the grocery store with the cashier when she has just been cussed out by the client before you. Or when your child hasn’t cleaned up the yard or taken out the trash like you told them to do and you find out that they were wounded by a friend or embarrassed by a teacher and they were just too distracted to get it done.
All of these are practical examples of loving kindness.
Yesterday, I had two people tell me how much what I had done for them meant to them. Truthfully, I really didn’t feel I had done anything special – nothing big, not grand but I had just come along side when they were feeling overwhelmed and helped out. No biggee…but it was to them.
Jesus calls it giving cups of cold water!
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. 42 And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:40-42 CEV
Now I know some will look at these verses and focus on the reward but I really think what Jesus is trying to get us to see is that nothing, no matter how small, goes unnoticed to the Father when we are reaching out in love. Extending loving-kindness to those around us is an example of the Christ that lives in us.
Over ten years ago I spent a week in the hospital and when I came home I wasn’t able to do much for a several weeks. Some sweet ladies brought me cups of cool water.
One neighbor came over each morning to take our dog for a walk and then she took my ironing to her home and did it for me. Another neighbor cooked extra dinner each night for Dave to enjoy when he got off work. She kept the refrigerator filled with the things I had been told to eat on a special diet. And she did my laundry. These acts of love were priceless!
All these years later I remember how their kindnesses were a reminder of God’s love and provision for me. Kisses of His unfailing love.
“The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40 CEV
We can change the world, one life at a time. “Father make me more aware of those that need a cup of cold water today.”
Let me give them kisses of kindness. I want the world to see my Father through me!