Be Kind... Even if it's hard

Some years ago, I made a mistake. A friend asked me to do something for them. It was a hard ask. It would have been a great inconvenience for me. I really wanted to help but I told someone else about it and they said that my friend should not have asked that of me and that I was not under any obligation to do it. So I said no... and I hurt my friend. They felt bad, and I felt worse when they told me I had hurt them with my response. They were really surprised that I had refused to help them and struggled to understand why. I wished I could have turned back the hands of time and said yes instead, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

I apologised and they accepted my apology. Things were a bit awkward between us for years but gradually we started speaking again. They seemed to have moved past it but from time to time, it still haunts me. Maybe they still think about that day. I don't know. Maybe they are just being polite with me when we speak, I wonder. The fact is I may never know.

How often have I passed on the opportunity to be kind just because of what another person said or because I am being cautious? These days with a lot of scams going around and innocent people being taken advantage of, it is easy to miss valuable opportunities to bless others. The world teaches us to be wary, to be cautious, to view everyone with suspicion. The Bible encourages us to take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:10). When we are sensitive to the Spirit's promptings, we will never go wrong. Kindness comes in many ways and we may never know how far one act of kindness goes to brighten another person's day. There are so many ways we can be kind to others; giving a tangible or intangible gift, helping out, saying a kind word or just being there for them in their time of need. BE KIND even if it's hard.

So my challenge to you today is BE KIND.

No matter how hard it seems, be kind.

No matter what others say, be kind.

No matter what it costs you, be kind.

A little kindness can go a long way,

Just one act can change a heart.

A kind word spoken in time

Can change the course of another's path.

A hand to hold

A friend in need

A burden shared

A thoughtful smile

Kindness speaks volumes, no matter how small.

Kindness leads to more kindness

And keeps going round.

Kindness shows you care, whatever the cost,

A kind deed remains indelible

On the receiver's heart, big or small.

So dear friend be kind, whatever your state

For when you are kind,

You show forth God's love

And who knows just maybe

Your kindness will grow

And change the world

One kindness at a time.