Benefits and Rewards of Kindness

 

I have been experiencing change over the last few months. Not all of it was planned or even desired. Apparently, these changes were in God’s plan for us but not in my plans. I am not one of those people who hate changes but I am one who likes to plan for them. That was not an option this time.

As I have been trying to surrender my feelings about the changes I have also tried to surrender my life to the will of God. I am trying to go where He calls me and do what He would have me do. This has taken me to some new settings.

Well, when a person is new to others and the circumstances are unfamiliar it’s hard to know exactly how to get to know others or to build new relationships. So, if a door opens I am walking through it. This week that took me behind some deep fryers to make funnel cakes! Another new experience!

The great thing about this was the kindness shown to me. I had to be taught to to pour the batter. It’s not rocket science but there is a technique you have to learn if you want them to look like funnel cakes and not just blobs of dough. My teachers were experienced and those on the receiving end of my cakes were gracious and kind!

As I have reflected on my time at these two events what really stood out to me was the kindness I was shown. My teachers were patient in instructing me to make the cakes but also gracious in every other way. I don’t yet know the church or the kitchen layout. I had no idea where to be out of the way when it was necessary or where to find other supplies. Patience was all I experienced. Kindness on faces and in words was what I saw and heard.

When God’s people are kind they are reflecting His character. Hosea talks about leading in kindness and the relief it brought to others. Hosea 11:4, “I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.”

When so many changes come into our lives at once it can be stressful from a human standpoint, nothing the Lord can’t relieve when we surrender them to Him, but it’s a pleasure when He uses His people to give us relief. The kindness that I experienced came in the little things, smiles, handshakes, clear direction, seeing that lost look in my eyes and offering direction, and even laughing and throwing away a couple of botched funnel cakes.

As I was searching the scripture for what God has to say about kindness I found that these kindnesses that I experienced will benefit more than me. The Lord also rewards those who extend kindness to others. It is a fruit of the Spirit. He is happy when we give to others what He has given to us.

Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

I am thrilled to think of the blessings that they will experience because of the way they have reached out in kindness to me. They set a good example and have reminded me how important kindness is to God but also to other people.

As I continue to be a recipient of this kindness I pray that I will be reminded of Jesus’ words and that I will follow them. He said, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

I pray I will be as faithful to be kind to others as these brothers and sisters in the Lord have been to me!

Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”