The Benefits of Kindness

We live in a world today that is mired in technology and we have seemed to forget the benefits of simple kindness to our fellow human beings. ‘Tis the season of giving, yet we focus instead on getting the perfect gift and snarl and snatch from others. When Jesus came to this earth, he was born in a stable because there was no room for Him in the inn. He was placed in a manger because there was no bedding to lie Him in. He came as a child who grew into a man, who was loved by His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. But He showed us the greatest benefit of the kindness of all because He was born for us so that He could die for us. God sent His only Son that He might come not to condemn the world but to save it.

That, to me, is the greatest benefit of the kindness of all. I don’t deserve that level of kindness. None of us do, but many of us have taken it for granted. We’ve lost our way, yet we have a God, who, time and time again, patiently waits for us to understand the level of His love and kindness that He feels towards His people.

So, how do we show God that we are beginning to understand?

Jesus gave us the greatest of commandments that God wants us to follow, that is according to Matthew 22: 37-39. “He said to them, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

I also have found that these should be the simplest commandments to follow. And when we do follow them? What will happen then? The world will become a better place. It is that simple and that is the very best benefit of kindness. We are given love so we need to give love in return. (Related post: The Blessings That We Receive)

So, what did I learn from this? Having been married for 26 years with 2 grown children, I can tell you that I love my family all the time, I just don’t always like them because of the way that they may act or the things that they do. I wonder if God feels that way about us too, sometimes. Of course, He loves us because He wouldn’t continue to desire to have a relationship with us, otherwise. I am also sure that, like any parent, He can get frustrated with us when we don’t listen or obey. So, when I do God’s bidding of showing kindness to others, then it helps me to be better as well and I feel God’s love.

What can you gain from this? Love given is also love received. Not everyone will understand it or even appreciate it, but we have to try continuously. We can’t change another person’s circumstances that they are in, but we can pray for them and hope that they may find comfort in God’s ever-loving arms. The truth is that God loves us even when we aren’t at our nicest. I don’t know about you, but I like the fact that I AM loved all the time, even when I don’t deserve it. That, to me, can be the biggest gain of all.