Simple acts of kindness go a long way in not only helping another person but also helping those doing them to rise above their needs and open the spigots of giving again. Random acts of kindness are nice but simple acts of kindness are even better.

Certainly the New Testament is full of exhortations to love one another. What does this love entail? Is it strictly limited to preaching the Bible at someone or blessing them with a new house or new stuff after a disaster? If love only involves such things, I am afraid I would be found guilty of being unloving.

The simplicity of love has its roots in kindness. Kindness is basically synonymous with compassion, giving and caring. Simple consideration for another’s needs is kindness. Acting in a humane and gentle manner is kindness. Manifesting sympathy, empathy and great understanding is kindness.

Many times all someone needs to change their situation is a change of attitude. When the pressures of life build up, they become a burden that in turn is too much to bear. Many times, if we simply seek to be a “burden bearer”, we can show so much kindness it literally changes a person.

When we feel all alone and frightened by a negative medical diagnosis, an impossible financial mess or the sudden loss of a friend, family member or even a pet; we become incredibly vulnerable. It is when we are vulnerable that we get taken advantage of, become depressed etc.

We all know the old song “You’ve got a friend” song by James Taylor and others. We have all been on both sides of needing and being a friend so I think we all know how important it is. Without the comfort of knowing someone is only a phone call away we would go crazy at times.

Proverbs says that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. So many times, kindness is manifested by simply being there for someone, providing an open ear and a shoulder to cry on. A kind word fitly spoken can turn a person around and open the floodgates to God’s blessings.

Our willingness to “go the extra mile” and willingly go above and beyond the call of duty is what elevates our love from simple brotherly love to the manifestation of the love of God. Manifesting God’s love through simple acts of kindness is actually the greatest witness we have of God’s character.

No one benefits from a pity party thrown on their behalf. Kindness is not telling someone a lie to make them feel better. But, kindness does take wisdom so as to not beat up a person with their mistakes. Kindness is doing whatever it takes to help, bless and shower another with support and love.

I pray we all remember that the Bible says that it is the “GENTLENESS” of God that leads men to repentance and not the anger or hardness of God. May we all strive to manifest more kindness while doing all we can to give as Christ gave and love as God so loved the world...

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