Kindness [Spiritual Sundays]

I placed down my stuff on the table near the work area inside the prison’s clinic. Another night and as I just went in, I saw that there were so many charts with doctors’ orders waiting to be noted by the jail nurses.


The PM nurses appeared tired. They had a busy shift, too. Their eyes lit up as I walked in. My entrance signaled that their shift was nearing its end.


I took a deep breath and gathered whatever strength I had, knowing what awaited for me.


Before working, I usually have the habit of checking my mailbox, in case I have a memo from either my supervisors or other co-workers. Inside the tiny box, I saw a white envelope addressed to my name. I wondered where it came from as I rarely get cards like that, except for Christmas when co-workers usually exchange little gifts or Christmas greeting cards.


I was surprised when I found out that it had a little gift of a nice bookmark and a sweet note from the nurse, newly-hired by the Sheriff’s. She was the one I worked with when my night was chaotic at Intake.


This was what I got from her:

　
　

[The bookmark says: "It is by believing in roses that one brings them to bloom."]
　
　
　
We all know that even a little kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life… When our lives are changed by God’s mercy, we are expected to show this same mercy as we deal with others. It’s only God Who can change our hearts. We can’t brag about the goodness that we show. It’s all from Him. And as we follow the Lord, and yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we strive to be more like Him.


Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” [NIV].


Actions do speak louder than words. And so it is with Christian lives. We affect others by what we say or do. Whether we are with family, friends, even strangers, God wants us to always treat others with the utmost care and respect.


When we help out someone, we don’t know that we are making their day. Expect nothing back but do things with love. My co-worker thought I made her day. She didn’t know she blessed me more than she could imagine. Because then, I knew at that moment when I was reading that card, that I hoped I pleased no one but God.


So….take the risk of reaching out….the way God reached out to you…


Zechariah 7:9,10 - “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts, do not think evil of each other.” [NIV]


Galatians 6:9,10 - “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.”
　

Colossians 3:12 - “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”


Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”


1 Corinthians 13:4 - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”


Ephesians 2:7 - “And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.”

For more encouraging posts, please visit Spiritual Sundays, hosted by 2 sweet women, sisters Charlotte and Ginger. God bless you all.