Every week before I go out to the barn to ride horses, I usually stop at my local Chick-FIl-A to grab breakfast (riding a horse on an empty stomach is not advised). Usually I'm kind of rushing around as a result of trying to squeeze in just a few extra minutes of sleep. This morning as I got into my car, I turned on our local Christian radio station 91.9 WGTS. Then I remembered. The radio station is encouraging listeners to go to any drive through and when paying for their meal at the drive-thru window, go ahead and pay for the person's meal in the car behind you. On my way to Chick-Fil-A, I decided, today was the day, I'm gonna do it! I drive up and I order, there is no one behind me! I waited and waited, still no one. Finally, as I reached the window to pay for my order, a guy in a black Mazda sedan had just ordered behind me in the drive-thru. The teller barely opened the window, and I said I'd like to pay for the person's order who is in the car behind me. The teller said, "well, ok!"
He handed me my food, charged my debit card for my meal, and then informed me the guy in the car behind me had ordered $7.80 worth of food. I handed him my debit card again, got a receipt and away I drove. I was beyond excited! Such a simple act, costing me less than $10 and I'm sure the guy behind me had no idea he'd get a free meal today! This got me thinking, acts of kindness bring us joy because they bring God joy. However, acts of kindness don't have to be so random - giving or receiving.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12, NIV
When I was in Ireland, I was set to go out and ride horses that day but was unable because I was incredibly sick. While I wasn't well enough to go outside and ride horses, I was stuck inside and in bed reading a book. It was rest much needed, but I still wished to be outside with the horses playing and being surrounded by God's creation. And then, as I sat in bed looking out the window, a butterfly flew across the room. It was the most bizarre occurrence! The door had been shut all day, the windows had been shut all day, there was no way it could have even got in to the hallway outside the door. The butterfly landed on the window sill, and I immediately went over to look at it. So beautiful and alive, it fluttered around some more until I finally caught it and decided to take it outside so it could be in it's natural habitat.
After setting the beautiful butterfly free, I kept thinking how ironic that was and what a blessing from the Lord it was to see something beautiful in such an unexpected place. To me, this was God's act of kindness given to me that day. It was God's way of still wanting to bless me with His creation even though I could not make it outside. I felt so loved by Him. It was so sweet! God's acts of kindness may take us by surprise at times, but they are never random. He is a loving God who long to show us His compassion, His mightiness, His beauty, and His kindness. When I look around, I can see God showing me kindness each day.
It's easy to be quick to snap at others, let them get under your skin, or perhaps you may be tempted to make fun of those who are different than you. Maybe there are people who look different than you, have a different job than you, don't eat just like you, don't talk just like you, don't worship God just like you, or maybe they dress different than you. The list can go on, but what about showing them kindness? It's easy to love those who love us, but even more difficult to get out of our comfort zone and risk being rejected to show love and kindness to others. Jesus said it best:
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? - Matthew 5:46, NIV
You see, of that time, tax collectors were considered the low of the low. Jesus was saying, if you love only those who love you, that anyone can do that - even the low of the low of society. Let's make our acts of kindness not so random, and more of a practice revealing our faith and our fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, NIV). God is not random with His acts of kindness, He is consistent and trustworthy. Let's align our heart with His, and bless others by being kind - not randomly. Reach out to those who are not like you, reach out to those who you know are hurting even if they do not show it (after all self-protection is just another form of fear resulting from pride and insecurity), reach out to someone who needs a hand, or just reach out to someone around you to show you care. Let's make kindness a practice, and not so random. Kindness is an attribute that can make anyone attractive, and reveals what is in your heart. Let's choose kindness. Let's bring glory to God by revealing His kindness through us. Are you with me?
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