Fruity Spirits Day 5: Kindness

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 Well hello and welcome to day 5 of our 9 day journey through the fruits of the spirit!  Today we talk about kindness as we march on through Galatians 5:22-23.  If you missed any of the first 4 days of this series be sure to check them out using these links:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience.

Today as we reflect on kindness and what it means to be genuinely kind I want to take a moment to think about kindness.  

What IS kindness?  

When I think about kindness I personally think first and foremost about generosity.  I think of kindness as an outpouring of happiness and love.  Kindness is a universal tool that can be shown through so many different mediums.  Kindness can show through our words, our actions, and even our thoughts!

How would YOU define kindness?

Take a moment to check out this previous post about kindness as it ties in PERFECTLY with today's fruit of the spirit (click the link):  RANDOM KINDNESS

Kindness goes beyond the random acts of kindness, kindness is a way of life.  Choosing a life of kindness is choosing to live not for yourself.  

Kindness can manifest itself with something as simple as a smile...give it a try!  

Here's a challenge for you:  For an entire day make the conscious decision to be aware of little bits of kindness.  How much kindness can you spot in your day to day life?  It can be your own kindness that you are outpouring or it can be the kindness of others you observe.  Keep track and see just how many accounts of kindness you can see in an entire day - I think you'll be surprised!  Remember no act of kindness is too small!  

Take a serious look at your own life...not only in the random acts of kindness department...but in the overall kindness department.  Are you a kind person?  Are your words, thoughts, actions, and motives kind?  

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

- Galatians 5:22-23

  

Random Kindness

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I think we often take for granted the immense impact of a random act of kindness.  An act of kindness that may seem so small to us could essentially impact someone in a HUGE way.  You never know just how much your actions are impacting those around you...even complete strangers.

That random act of kindness could look like a million different things...

A random act of kindness could be a....
...random note sent to someone
...smile to a stranger
...phone call to an old friend
...word of encouragement
...helping hand
...a dollar spared 

The possibilities are endless!  

A random act of kindness is not restricted by any factor.  Young or old, child or adult, male or female it makes no difference!  Kindness can be expressed and shared with ANYONE - in fact you don't even need to speak the same language as someone to share a random act of kindness!  There are no boundaries when it comes to who we can share kindness with.

Kindness is something that we should be handing out like candy on Halloween!  Fist-Fulls of kindness.  Kindness in abundance.

It's all about being generous and blessing others.  It's about showing random acts of God's love.  Whether that be with someone you know well or someone you don't know at all.  

You never know how your small act of kindness can touch someones day, uplift them, put a smile on their face, touch their hearts, or better yet start a chain reaction.  

Displaying kindness is giving people a touch of God's love.  By blessing others with your kindness you are truly blessing yourself.  

I'm seeking a life that pours out kindness to others.  Will you join me?

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, 

gentleness, and patience."

~Colossians 3:12 

Have you been the recipient of a random act of kindness lately?  If so, leave a comment and state how it impacted you!