For several weeks, I drank a high protein drink
to gain weight but had no results, and I didn’t feel well after I drank it. I
tried drinking it more slowly; that helped. But one day I drank it with my
lunch and felt so bad that I could scarcely eat dinner that evening. I went to
bed at 8 p.m.
Just then my friend Ruth called, and I told her how I felt. She researched the protein drink and found it was a suggested drink for those hoping to LOSE weight. No wonder I had failed to get the desired results. Perhaps feeling unwell was God’s way of telling me this wasn’t working for me.
Since my husband is encouraged to consume more protein because of a health condition, I assumed it would be good for me as well. But no. I’ve got to find another way to put on the pounds. You may wish you had my problem.
I tell you this to say that I so much appreciated the kindness of my friend in researching my protein drink. I had not asked her nor expected her to do that. But she is a model of kindness and regularly reaches out to those who struggle. If someone needs encouragement, she invites them to dinner or takes a meal to them. She is a friend who doesn’t just hear what you say with her ears but she listens with her heart. Then she acts.
Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV 1984, emphasis mine).
I am blessed to have several friends like Ruth. They fit the description of the Proverbs 31 woman: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26 NIV).
Scripture suggests that kind people hold no grudges: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).
Life offers hard challenges. Divorce is one that breaks relationships and often makes family gatherings uncomfortable. But I have divorced friends who get together at their children’s events without showing animosity toward each other. In fact, they chat amicably with each other. That blesses their families and friends.
Luke reminds us that God is kind even to the wicked:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35
So we should be kind even to those who offend us. I’ve found that always—always—when I do a kindness for someone who has hurt me, I am the one who ends up blessed.
And Paul reminds us “love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). There are five apartments, including ours, on the fourth floor of our building, and deliveries for us are placed by our first-floor mailboxes. Yet I often find a package or a newspaper right outside my apartment door. I have no idea which of my neighbors delivered it to me, but I appreciate their kindness. And I return the favor when I find packages for them downstairs.
It doesn’t cost much to send a card with a few words of encouragement. That’s being kind.
It doesn’t cost anything to speak words of encouragement to someone. That’s being kind.
Maybe a store clerk is tired and needs a friendly greeting. Or someone waiting in line is in a hurry and you can let them go ahead of you. That’s being kind.
We’re kind if we surprise someone with a gift. Or remember a special date, maybe a date someone passed, and express sympathy.
As we pick the fruit of the Spirit, we gather all varieties. And kindness is one to share with others that not only tastes sweet but nourishes the soul of the giver and the receiver.
