Kindness is love in action.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails."

This has been one of my favorite passages for some time now and yet it still speaks to me. It has calmed my spirit and checked my attitude on more than one occasion! The easy thing to do is chose anger and lash out but it takes wisdom and strength to chose kindness, breathe and swallow our words or bad attitude.

It doesn't cost you anything to be kind but it is a conscious choice that you have to make over and over again. I sat at my Dining Room table today thinking, "how many times do I chose kindness?" I'm ashamed to say it's not enough!

We are given hundreds of opportunities to chose kindness each day. Most of the time, it's just a quick breath that forms your reaction to a situation..... Some of us, myself included could take more breaths before responding. God will humble you when you need more "breathing time!" I learn that more and more the older I get. It's when you think you know it all and get a little too big for your britches that God says "uh oh somebody needs a breather."

I want to be kind. When I am taken from this life, I want people to say I was a gracious person. I want to take more moments of silence and less opportunities to share my opinion. Love is patient, love is kind... These words hang in my bedroom for me to see every morning! It's a still small reminder that I'm not in charge and if I relent to Christ, my day will reflect that choice.

Learn the value of a simple smile and exercise those facial muscles as often as you can. Not only will you change someones day, you will feel better! Worries fade with smiles, deep breathes and a grateful heart! It's easy to be kind when you put others first. As a Pastors Wife, much of my time is spent caring for others in their time of need. That means I stand when my feet hurt, I engage in conversation when my kids are torturing a poor elderly saint, I eat Mexican for dinner even though I hate it, I show up when everyone else is too busy... That's my job but more than that, I find joy in doing these things because I know that I am laying up treasures in the Kingdom. I smile because I am thankful for my life and all the amazing oils and lotions dear saints gift me for standing just a few minutes longer.

Kindness is a blessing to others but that blessing is returned to you every time. God has called Christians to kindness but often we are too busy to give it, too tired, too aggravated, too frustrated..... Where are your treasures? They can't be in the Kingdom if you are too much of anything to show kindness first. Life happens, things don't always go our way but we still have to activate kindness in our spirit to be Christ minded and reach the lost.

When you are overwhelmed remember: "I Can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil. 4:13

He has called us a part to be different and what I see in the world is ugly, hate, greed, rude and selfishness..... We have to be kind, loving, gracious and patient with people in order to shine His light. Even when you don't feel like it be kind!

XO -Denisha