Galatians 5:22
says:
"But when the
Holy Spirit
controls our
lives, he will
produce this
kind of fruit in
us: love, joy,
peace, patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,"
It is hard to
drive from one
end of town to
the other
without running
into evidence of
the lack of
kindness in our
world. I live in
a small
community, it is
still common to
find people who
are willing to
"let you in"
when traffic is
heavy. It is one
of the things
that I most
noticed when I
moved here from
Lansing. I
wasn't used to
the common
courtesies of a
small town but I
soon grew to
appreciate them
and adopt them.
Little things
like letting
someone pull
into traffic
ahead of you or
inviting someone
to step ahead of
you on the line
at the grocery
store when they
only have a few
items. Someone
might argue with
me, but I didn't
notice it
happening all
that much when I
lived in a big
city.
I realized
after getting
settled in here
that I couldn't
go too many
places without
being recognized
by someone I
knew. That must
contribute to
the prevalence
of kindness. You
never know who
might be
watching!
The more that
I have gotten
used to the
pleasantries of
small town
living, I have
grown ashamed of
the memory of my
total lack of
courtesy when I
lived in
Lansing. Instead
of putting
others before
myself, I looked
for the fastest,
most convenient
path for me. I
would cut people
off, cut into
lines, take
twenty items
into the ten
items or less
line...
The Holy
Spirit is
reminding me to
cut myself some
slack - I
wasn't even a
Christian then!
Take a few
minutes to
meditate on
Galatians 5:22.
When the Holy
Spirit controls
our lives - he
will
produce...kindness.
The natural
opposite of this
is that when we
are not being
kind, when we
are not putting
other's needs
ahead of our
own, we are not
being controlled
by the Holy
Spirit.
Can you think
of some times in
the recent past
when you were
not very kind to
others?
Take a few
more minutes now
and pray:
Father God, I
thank You that
You have shown
me so many
kindnesses in my
life. I ask You
to forgive me
for the times
when I have
lived my life
according to my
own schedule and
not considered
the needs or
feelings of
others around
me. I ask You to
fill me with
Your Holy Spirit
and help me now
to show genuine
kindnesses to
others. In Jesus
Name, Amen.
