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Listen while you read: "Ivory Palaces"1 (Lyrics) |
This week, I heard the roar of the garbage truck, and I realized that I had two blue recycling boxes, which they had emptied, to bring back into the garage.
I thought of our other house, before we moved, where every week, the boy next door always brought in my garbage containers for me. It was a small token of kindness, but even after ten years, I had not forgotten it.
Kindness is encouraged throughout the Bible.
Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)
Are we forgetting kindness in our world today? Have you had an opportunity in a supermarket, on the highway, or in the neighbourhood to demonstrate the importance of kindness to a neighbour or a stranger?
Don't think that acts of kindness must be big. At the battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War, a general, noticing that a small bird had fallen from its nest, dismounted from his horse and very carefully picked the bird up and placed it back in the nest. Other people said, "How can you waste time with a bird in the middle of a great battle?"
He replied, "If someday I reach paradise, it will not be for the great battles I have won but for the small things, like saving this bird."
Why do we think all kindness needs to be big? Perhaps it's because of the importance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards us all.
Titus 3:4-5 – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Nevertheless, following His example in small acts of kindness, like bringing in my garbage containers, will be long remembered.
Prayer: O Lord, we long to grow in our faith and see You more clearly as we meditate on Scripture. May we not forget that our spirits must be fed and watered by Your Word every day. May we go forth, remembering Your commandments and showing our kindness towards all. Amen.
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Sunday, May 28, 2023 – Worldwide — Day of Pentecost—Pray that our churches worldwide may experience a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be better enabled to share our faith with our families, friends, and communities.
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Thanks William for the encouraging word.
Thank you, William, for sharing this devotional about the importance of kindness. Blessings.
A good reminder that an act of kindness is also an act of praise and thankfullness for blessings received.
That’s a big amen brother!
Blessings.
Dear William,
How wonderful and how true. Thank your for this.
Thank you for this devotional!
That’s a very good list to keep in mind at all tines as we go through life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Thank you for writing a devotional that will change how I live my life.
Thank you for writing, William.
I especially appreciate the effort by the devotional writers. Kindness of all kinds speaks volumes about our faith.
(Texas)
Willam your devotional brought to mind these words from Mother Theresa… we may not all be able to do great things but we can do small things with great love… Your little neighbour boy sounds like he was setting a great example for all of us.
Blessings.
A wonderful ‘write’! The ‘good old days’ may not be gone, but unfortunately, many seem to have very little time or talent to share their blessings with those who would treasure them!
Blessings.
(Ontario)
Loved your devotion this morning Bill. A great reminder. One of my granddaughters when she hears me say something which is unkind will say to me that that’s not kind!
May God continue to bless you as you share His love and kindness with others.
Thanks again for your good words this morning.
Dear William Hamblen,
I agree with everything else you wrote, but I cannot agree with that man in this paragraph who replied, “If someday I reach paradise, it will not be for the great battles I have won but for the small things, like saving this bird.”
A human being’s saving a bird, or a human being’s doing any kind of deed will not save the doer.
OF COURSE YOU HAVE IT PERFECT WITH TITUS HERE.
Keep writing, Mr. Hamblen.