“The servant hurried to meet her and said ‘ Please give me a little water from your jar.’ ‘ Drink, my Lord,’ she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.” Genesis 24:17-18 [NIV]
I followed a car today, driven by a very frustrated driver. I shall never know what his day had been like, or what was happening in his world, but it was obvious he was angry and frustrated, and he was going to show that to everybody who dared to share the same road as him.
We live in a country of uninhibited anger. We see it in road rage, but it also shows itself in fast food restaurants when the food isn’t fast enough and an innocent employee gets the brunt of our frustration; when couples argue, the police are often called to break up the violence; when we dislike a school friend or teacher, they are stabbed.
What happened to the days when a stranger smiled and said hello? Or nobody minded if you stopped to help their child who had fallen and grazed their knee? What happened to trusting and helping?
We cannot sit back with our arms crossed and a scowl on our face wondering when some kind people will show up. Am I the only one who wants some nice, thoughtful and kind people in the world?!
The truth is, others are looking for kindness in you, too. Start looking strangers in the eye to see if they are hoping you will smile at them! If you wish somebody would introduce themselves to you, make the first move and introduce yourself! If you see somebody with a broken down car, don’t drive on by and shake your head because they have slowed your journey – stop and offer them help or the use of your mobile.
Kindness attracts kindness. Start a trend with your example!
Holy Spirit, I pray that you will fill my heart with your presence so that I may bear your fruit. Specifically, grow in me the fruit of kindness. AMEN
