Good morning…
In class yesterday, we continued to unpack the concept of kindness, one of the fruits of God’s Spirit alive in our hearts. We agreed, in the face of so much worldly unrest – polarization, violence, despair – there is one thing we all can do, each moment of every day. We can take a deep breath and tap into the Holy Spirit within, letting God grow in our lives the characteristics of Jesus.
With every person he met, Jesus shared the fruit of our Father. Abiding with God, we are designed to do the same. The world desperately needs MORE love, MORE joy, MORE peace, MORE patience, MORE kindness, MORE goodness, MORE faithfulness, MORE gentleness, and MORE self-control.
One of the women read to us the Kate Bowler post from her Lenten devotional series. Kate’s meditation ended with this unique blessing.
May you resist
any pressure
to turn
pain into progress.
May your questions
and doubts
and uncertainty
be met
with kindness,
not advice.
Kindness. There is that word again. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. Sharing thoughtfulness, affection and compassion. Offering tenderness, concern and care. What the world needs now is kindness, sweet kindness.
Jesus amplifies this truth in John 10:10 (AMP). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Piled high with questions, doubts and uncertainty, people don’t need our advice. People need our kindness.
What a novel insight, freeing and restorative.
…Sue…
P.S. To enjoy Kate Bowler’s complete Lenten message, I invite you to touch on this link.
