You Don’t Have to Earn Kindness

Thought of the Week

You don’t have to earn kindness.

I committed one of the worst sins in our society.

As I drove down the quaint side street, I looked out my open window and saw green arching trees, historic 19th-century homes, and a cute couple walking their scruffy little dog. It was all the small-town charm I’d expect from a modest Tennessee town.

It’s easy to see how I missed the incoming school bus with its flashing stop sign.

Without a care in the world, I kept right on going. By the time reality set in, all I could hear was a blaring horn and the bus driver's choice words (bus drivers have a hard job; I get it). Before I could pass the bus, my body reacted, and I slammed on the brakes. I stopped right next to the last window on the bus, and, of course, it was open. 

I was ready to get blasted by these kids.

Instead, I was met with an unexpected surprise. A brown-haired boy popped up and stuck his head out the window. “Hey there!” the boy said, waving. 

All I could do was wave back and say, “Hey, dude!”

“Have a nice day!” the boy replied as the bus started moving again.

I was dead to rights. But instead of being pummeled with more profanity, I was met with kindness. I instantly went from feeling horrible to feeling encouraged. All thanks to a few kind words.

We’re all moving pretty fast through this distracted world. We all make mistakes, and sadly, we are often met with criticism instead of kindness. We criticize others for their poor decisions, and worst of all, we criticize ourselves when we feel we don’t measure up to our own standards.

Jesus reminded me this week that He doesn’t expect perfection. He expects me to miss stop signs, criticize others, and fall short of my own standards.

 Yet He remains kind.

 In this unforgiving world, Jesus wants us to always remember: you don’t have to earn kindness.

Know Him

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

— Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Understand Yourself

Whom do you need to show kindness to? Is it someone at work, someone in your community, someone on social media, someone close to you, or yourself?

Do His Work

Be the kid on the bus. Say or do something kind for someone today, even if they didn't earn it.