Growing Fruit: KINDNESS
Growing Fruit: Kindness
If you asked me what superpower I'd like to have, I don't think I'd choose flying or invisibility.
I'd choose the ability to know exactly what someone else is carrying.
Because the older I get, the more I realize that every person I meet is fighting a battle I know nothing about.
As a resource specialist at school, I see it every day. Sometimes a student comes in frustrated, distracted, or emotional. My first instinct can be to wonder, What's going on today? But I've learned that behavior is often communication. There is usually a story behind the struggle.
The same is true for adults.
The cashier who seems short-tempered may have just received difficult news. The parent who appears impatient may be running on three hours of sleep. The coworker who seems withdrawn may be carrying a burden they haven't shared with anyone.
We simply don't know.
That's one of the reasons I think kindness is so powerful.
The world often treats kindness as something we offer when it's convenient or when someone has earned it. If people are kind to us, we'll be kind back.
Jesus showed us something completely different.
Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. Think about that for a moment. God doesn't draw us to Himself through intimidation or shame. He reaches toward us with kindness.
If that's how God treats us, shouldn't that shape how we treat others?
That doesn't mean kindness is always easy.
I'll admit, there are days when I'm in a hurry. My to-do list is longer than my patience, and I'm focused on getting from one thing to the next. Those are usually the days God places someone in my path who needs me to slow down.
Maybe it's a student who just needs someone to listen for an extra minute.
Maybe it's James wanting to tell me a story while I'm trying to make dinner.
Maybe it's a stranger who simply needs a smile instead of another person rushing past them.
Kindness often costs us something.
Usually it's our time.
Sometimes it's our comfort.
Occasionally it's our pride.
But I've never regretted choosing kindness.
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 4:32:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Notice Paul doesn't say, "Be kind when people deserve it."
He simply says, "Be kind."
Jesus certainly lived that out. He noticed the people everyone else overlooked. He spoke with the woman at the well. He welcomed children when the disciples tried to send them away. He touched those others were afraid to touch.
His kindness wasn't random.
It was intentional.
I want that to be true of my life too.
Not just grand gestures, but everyday kindness.
Holding the door.
Sending the text.
Offering encouragement.
Giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
Choosing gentle words instead of sharp ones.
Those moments may seem small, but I don't think they're small to the person receiving them.
Proverbs 3:3 says,
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
I love that picture. Kindness isn't something we put on only when we feel like it. It's something God writes on our hearts as we stay close to Him.
Like all the Fruit of the Spirit, kindness isn't something we manufacture on our own. It grows naturally as we remain connected to Jesus.
And here's the beautiful thing: kindness is contagious.
A kind word can change the direction of someone's day.
A small act of compassion can remind someone they are seen.
A moment of grace can point someone toward the God who has shown us endless grace.
We'll probably never know this side of heaven how many lives were touched simply because we chose kindness over convenience.
So this week, let's grow a little more fruit.
Smile at the stranger.
Encourage the coworker.
Be patient with the cashier.
Listen a little longer.
Offer grace a little quicker.
Because in a world that can often feel rushed, critical, and divided, kindness stands out.
And when people experience genuine kindness, they just might catch a glimpse of the One who first showed it to us.
If you asked me what superpower I'd like to have, I don't think I'd choose flying or invisibility.
I'd choose the ability to know exactly what someone else is carrying.
Because the older I get, the more I realize that every person I meet is fighting a battle I know nothing about.
As a resource specialist at school, I see it every day. Sometimes a student comes in frustrated, distracted, or emotional. My first instinct can be to wonder, What's going on today? But I've learned that behavior is often communication. There is usually a story behind the struggle.
The same is true for adults.
The cashier who seems short-tempered may have just received difficult news. The parent who appears impatient may be running on three hours of sleep. The coworker who seems withdrawn may be carrying a burden they haven't shared with anyone.
We simply don't know.
That's one of the reasons I think kindness is so powerful.
The world often treats kindness as something we offer when it's convenient or when someone has earned it. If people are kind to us, we'll be kind back.
Jesus showed us something completely different.
Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. Think about that for a moment. God doesn't draw us to Himself through intimidation or shame. He reaches toward us with kindness.
If that's how God treats us, shouldn't that shape how we treat others?
That doesn't mean kindness is always easy.
I'll admit, there are days when I'm in a hurry. My to-do list is longer than my patience, and I'm focused on getting from one thing to the next. Those are usually the days God places someone in my path who needs me to slow down.
Maybe it's a student who just needs someone to listen for an extra minute.
Maybe it's James wanting to tell me a story while I'm trying to make dinner.
Maybe it's a stranger who simply needs a smile instead of another person rushing past them.
Kindness often costs us something.
Usually it's our time.
Sometimes it's our comfort.
Occasionally it's our pride.
But I've never regretted choosing kindness.
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 4:32:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Notice Paul doesn't say, "Be kind when people deserve it."
He simply says, "Be kind."
Jesus certainly lived that out. He noticed the people everyone else overlooked. He spoke with the woman at the well. He welcomed children when the disciples tried to send them away. He touched those others were afraid to touch.
His kindness wasn't random.
It was intentional.
I want that to be true of my life too.
Not just grand gestures, but everyday kindness.
Holding the door.
Sending the text.
Offering encouragement.
Giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
Choosing gentle words instead of sharp ones.
Those moments may seem small, but I don't think they're small to the person receiving them.
Proverbs 3:3 says,
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
I love that picture. Kindness isn't something we put on only when we feel like it. It's something God writes on our hearts as we stay close to Him.
Like all the Fruit of the Spirit, kindness isn't something we manufacture on our own. It grows naturally as we remain connected to Jesus.
And here's the beautiful thing: kindness is contagious.
A kind word can change the direction of someone's day.
A small act of compassion can remind someone they are seen.
A moment of grace can point someone toward the God who has shown us endless grace.
We'll probably never know this side of heaven how many lives were touched simply because we chose kindness over convenience.
So this week, let's grow a little more fruit.
Smile at the stranger.
Encourage the coworker.
Be patient with the cashier.
Listen a little longer.
Offer grace a little quicker.
Because in a world that can often feel rushed, critical, and divided, kindness stands out.
And when people experience genuine kindness, they just might catch a glimpse of the One who first showed it to us.
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