Kindness Looks Like.....

A life noted by kindness. That's what a woman in the book of Acts is known for.

There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas ). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.  (Acts 9:36 NLT)

Kindness can look different in many ways, but one common theme would be sacrificing your own interests for others. Way too often I am thinking of myself: how I feel, my burdens, etc. But Galatians 5 reminds us this should be exemplary in every believer's life.

And our families are the ones who get the short end of the stick so often. I mean, isn't it easier to offer kindness in words or deeds to those who will praise you or reward you somehow? I know I tend to be much more short and snappy in my speech in my home out of impatience (oh, dear, another fruit of the Spirit) and wrong motives. After all, who wants to pick up those dirty socks after the 11millionth time! And yet, the kindness of God is what leads us to repentance. 

So today (and hopefully, every day) I am focusing on my actions and speech. This will not be easy! (I was just interrupted by a little sweetie who wanted to show me her science kit, yet has not done anything she was supposed to yet. These are the hard moments of keeping a sweet attitude and bring firm...oh boy!)

For others in my home it may look different! It may be a simple action that was not asked for. A going-out-of-my-way task to show them love. (They could care less about words right now.)

At other times it may mean overcoming evil with good. Blessing my "enemy"; not cursing! 

And this is all done through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Not alone! For I am not capable of such a thing. 

Revive our hearts (Nancy Leigh DeMoss) has put out a 30 Day Challenge called the Power of Words. It is a little booklet that can be an aid to challenge you to really think through those tiny things that come out of your mouth. 

I am taking the challenge!

The Little Lost Birdie

Yesterday we arrived home from church, and as soon as we opened the car doors, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford, (the affectionate names given to cardinals by "Inger") flew away from our front window. Normally they are not that close to the house. Soon after we discovered there was a baby cardinal "lost" outside our front door. The momma and dada kept flying down, seemingly trying to coax their baby to follow them. It was fruitless and the little one ended up in our garage, with his frantic parents flying veraciously in and out of this confined space.


"Mr. Cartwright" was able to get the baby on a twig and remove him from the garage. He placed him on the front lawn and we backed up hoping to see him cooperate. To no avail. 

He finally flew to our neighbor's tree across the street. Up and down. Up and down his loving parents flew beckoning him to follow. He was able to attach himself to the bottom of the tree, but could get no further. Pretty soon a bird of prey started circling up above. Like the great guy he is, "Mr. Cartwright" went over, picked up the bird and placed him in the lowest branch of the tree. We kept trying to reassure his parents we were not going to hurt him. Finally he followed them up higher and we went inside. 


But my mind kept thinking about how similar this little birdie is to me in regards to my heavenly Father. I want to trust Him. He beckons I follow and yet, so many times fear creeps in unaware and I think I know what is best. He lovingly swoons around me trying to coach me to trust. Without even knowing it, I face the enemy. When I don't trust, I allow Satan to have a foothold and he wants nothing more than to tear me away from my Heavenly Father. I open myself up to all sorts of trouble when I don't follow. Boy am I thankful for the gently prodding of the Lord.


Romans 2:4 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

Unmatched Kindness

I find myself so prone to judging others. As I am reading through, Brokenness, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I am realizing the reason for this attitude.

Pride. Plain and simple. It is a nasty snare that can so subtly creep up and entangle my heart.

Along side this book I am studying the book of Romans and wouldn't you just know it? They go hand in hand. As I read through Romans chapter 1 yesterday, much of it was a reminder of things I've already heard. Man has no excuse to reject God; for God has written His law on each man's heart as well as creation shouting out His majesty. Then I came to verse 28.

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

I thought, "In order to NOT acknowledge God, they had to acknowledge Him at one time. I certainly am not in that category. I have not been given over to my sin. I have not murdered."

You can fill in the blank. I have not........

I come to chapter 2 and BAM!!! I realize the pride. Without Christ I am capable of everything Paul lists in chapter 1. I pass judgment on those doing these "wicked" things. Have I been angry? I've murdered. Have I been impatient? I've hated. I've thought I'm better than others. How wicked!

Then Paul asks the reader, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

It was God's kindness, compassion, and patience that drew me and yet, so often, I demand judgment on others.

Forgiveness is what is needed. For me.

Lessons Learned...#4

Both I and "Grace and Glory" have learned so much through this journey to the High Places.

Here is the next lesson:

"The fourth thing," said she with a RADIANT face, "was really the first I learned up here. Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to with love and forgiveness and obedience to Your will can be transformed. Therefore I begin to think, My Lord, you purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things you want changed. Perhaps that is the very reason we are here in this world, where sin and sorrow and suffering and evil abound, so that we may let you teach us so to react to them, that out of them we can create lovely qualities to live forever. That is the only really satisfactory way of dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good."

Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If we have the mind of Christ, we can accomplish this. Keeping our thoughts focused on the cross and what Christ accomplished for us.

Breakfast Table Chat

This morning around the breakfast table we were discussing how God delights when we show kindness to others. One child asked if God smiles and that brought on more conversation about what God looks like.

Now, we adults, know God is a spirit, but that is an awefully hard concept for children.

Curiosity got the better of me and I asked my littlest one, "What do you think God looks like?"

"He is brown like me and has a great big smile. He has brown hair and a brown beard. He has brown eyes, too."

Precious words from my little brown bear who sees through her big brown eyes.

And I know He does delight in kindness.

Jeremiah 9:23,24

This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,

but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.