One minute read.
Daily Reading: Numbers 26:52-28:15, Luke 3:1-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 11:16-17
Daily Verse: “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Prov. 11:17
Kindness benefits.
Married to the kindest person I know; he’s helped me become nicer. Bitter and resentful, my life didn’t go as planned; I didn’t realize its impact.
“You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar,” Mom often said.
People around me could see the bitter root planted in my childhood as I tried to make sense of my dad’s illness and death, causing me to alienate people from my life.
“The only one you’re hurting is yourself,” Mom would say when I reacted with meanness instead of kindness.
Thankfully, coming back to Jesus, and applying His principles to my life, helped reveal the bitterness and remove it over time. And marrying the love of my life, kindness personified, helped me become even better.
Cruelty doesn’t win respect, but kindness does. Everyone has pain; mean actions don’t help. But acts of love and kindness cause people to blossom and grow. You have a choice, kindness or cruelty; both come with consequences.
Lord, forgive us for responding cruelly. Please help always respond with Christ’s loving-kindness. Given a choice, let us choose well, honoring You in all we do. IJNIP. Amen
