By Dennis Russell
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you”
(Ephesians 4:32). I would guess that you still remember
some of those lessons you learned in elementary school.
Such as; don’t challenge a person who is seven inches
taller that you to a tether ball match for “all the
marbles;” don’t try to slide into home plate when the
catcher already has the ball; never brag about that to
which you have no bragging rights; never take a
Valentine card seriously (that cute little girl/boy gave a
Valentine to everybody else in class). Maybe one of the
most significant lessons I learned during those
formative years was that kindness is not retroactive.
You cannot undo those stupid things you said or did.
Most of the time when we are unkind it is the result of
some selfish motive. Sometime around 1972 a country-
western singer named Glen Campbell released a song
called “Try a Little Kindness.” The song has never been
more relevant than it is today. It is very possible that in
today’s world we have become so exposed to the needy
that we have become calloused to their need. We are
very much aware of the kindness of God as seen
through His son Jesus Christ. The duration of that
kindness continues through Jesus as an ever-abiding
revelation through eternity.
Have you ever wished that people would have been a little
more kind to you? Have you ever wished you would have
been a little more kind to them?
It is true, kindness is not retroactive but today is a good day
to start being kind.
Occasionally, we sing about letting the beauty of Jesus
being seen through us, but we should also let the kindness
of Jesus be seen in us.
Groveland, FL