Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”
I had just squeezed into a parking space and rushed across the street to walk a few blocks to the coffee shop where I like to write. As I approached the sidewalk a somewhat straggly, fragile-looking man in a wheelchair laboriously worked to push his chair backward with his feet. I said, “Can I help you, Sir?” He looked at me as if he didn’t understand, and it became clear he didn’t have enough air in his lungs to answer. (It was 90 plus degrees out). He searched through his bag and finally pulled out an inhaler, took a whiff, and whispered, “Thank you.”
So the two of us set out in the heat and humidity, with him pointing the way to go. When we reached a steep alleyway, I had to plop my somewhat heavy bag on his lap in order to push up the hill. Kind of a team effort! After he’d recovered his breath, I asked him his name and he replied, “Louis.” I said, “Hi Louis, I’m Becky.” He told me he made the trip every day. And I informed him that God had sent him a helper that day!
We finally reached the city square. As I started to leave, he smiled broadly and reached out to hug me. As I bent down to embrace this total stranger, I honestly don’t know who felt more grateful—Louis for the lift, or me, that God let me be a vessel of his kindness.
Kindness comprises a core component of the Christian faith. Paul exhorts all of us who have received God’s loving kindness to pass it on. Because we demonstrate his love when we’re kind. And does the world these days ever need more kindness!
I believe the Lord wants us to cultivate a lifestyle of kindness. Rather than bustling through our busy days, to stop, to pause even a moment, and offer cups of kindness. Maybe it looks like offering a distressed mom waiting in line to cut in front of you. Or smiling at people you pass on the street. Maybe it means refusing to speak negatively about someone. Maybe it’s pushing an old man in a wheelchair up the street.
May you and I take every opportunity God puts before us to offer cups of kindness.