Choose Kind
It’s World Kindness Day, Wednesday, November 13, 2024. It’s a day to spread benevolence, to make a special effort to spread kindness. Just a simple act of being kind can make a huge impact in someone’s day. So I thought it was a good day for a reminder “for such a time as this.”
In the book and short film, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, by Charlie Mackesy, the mole asks the boy, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
After a moment of reflection, the boy simply answers, “Kind.”
After his moment of reflection, the mole then comments, “Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things.”
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer said, “When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.”
Jesus said it this way: “Love one another.”
Jesus was speaking to believers. We are also told to love our neighbor, even to love our enemies. But how can we love our enemies when we have such difficulty loving our brothers and sisters in Christ?
We live in heated times in our nation, when political opinions fuel debates daily—sadly, even among Christians. But the truth is, our leaders are ultimately accountable to God. However, will we have to give an account for how well we loved each other? Does God care whether we win political arguments, or does He care more that we show the world His love by how we “love one another”?
Proverbs 10:12 tells us love covers all offenses. Like a fire blanket, it can squelch the flames of division that are scorching our culture today. There may be times when we must speak truth, but we are to speak it “in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
So, what if, instead of debating, we just pray for each other? After all, only God can open eyes and change minds, no matter how hard we try. I never see anyone convince each other anyway. Debating only creates a divide, when we as sisters and brothers in Christ are to be unified. So let’s be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
And what if, when tempted to complain about a leader, we stop right then and pray for them and our country, as we’re told in 1 Timothy 2:1-2? What if we simply pray for more understanding and for truth to win? Only God knows the whole truth, so let’s let Him be the judge, because He already is. Aren’t you glad He didn’t give us that role? He only expects us to love one another.
So, let’s choose kind, every day. Let’s choose prayer. Let’s choose showing Christ’s love to an intolerant world where love is needed more than ever.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us unconditionally. Forgive us when we haven’t loved one another as You have loved us, as You commanded. We ask You God, who gives patience and encouragement, to help us live in complete harmony with each other, as is right for followers of Christ Jesus. May we all join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God. We ask you now, the source of love, to help us love each other better, because as we do to others, we do unto you. Thank you for Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
What act of kindness can you spread today? I’d love to hear your pay-it-forward stories in the comments here or on social media. xo Penny
America still needs our prayers, so let’s not stop praying. Check out my latest book here, Pursuing Prayer for America – 21 Battle Cries for Our Nation, which has scripture-based prayers dealing with 21 topics, to help us pray for America.
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