A Simple Lesson About Living Out Kindness In Our Lives
Discover the importance of kindness and how it can be a powerful force for change. Kindness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Learn how to cultivate it in your daily life.
There is the power of great change in kindness. It’s a gift we give the world. And it is ours to choose whether to give it or to let it dissolve inside of us and never reach out beyond our own hearts. Today, let’s talk about being kind!
I got an early start one day last week and found myself at our local grocery store before 10 cars were in the parking lot! I love getting to the grocers when all the carts are neatly stacked up, and the line at the deli counter isn’t three deep.
It’s almost exhilarating to wander down empty isles with a cup of my first coffee of the day in hand.
15 Items Or Less
I did not have many items to get, so I grabbed what I needed and headed to the “15 items or less” check-out line. I guess it was just out of habit I chose that line because the other check-outs weren’t busy at all! But more likely, it was the compliant side of me. If it says “15 items or less” then, of course, that’s where I should be!
As I loaded my 12 items onto the counter, I noticed a sweet-looking, very young man behind the cash register. He was wearing a smart white shirt, a navy, white, and purple striped tie, and a shiny name tag that said, Jason.
As he acknowledged me, I said, “Good morning, Jason.” He gave me a little smile and looked up from under his black-rimmed glasses.
A Morning Person
I am a morning person! I have always been and probably will always be. I wake up happy to meet each day.
I grew up in a very divided home when it came to mornings! My dad was a morning kind of guy. I can still see him sitting at the kitchen table, already sipping his coffee and reading the paper as I came down in the morning. Morning, darlin’! (He was southern) he would say in the happiest of happy southern voices!
My mother was not always ready to be cheerful in the morning. She was quiet in the morning. She liked to ease into the day without greetings, discussions, or any human interaction, for that matter. I must say, though, that she did embrace mornings once the kids were all out of the house. Hmmm, I wonder if we had anything to do with that?
Daddy and I would talk and discuss the world’s problems and joke and laugh, something that my mother could never understand!
Back In The 15-Items Or Less Aisle
But I digress. Back to the grocery store. As Jason was pushing my 12 items past the barcode thingy, I mentioned his nice tie: “Jason, what a handsome-looking tie you have on.” He looked a little surprised, and then a slow, sweet smile overtook his face. “Thanks,” he said. And then he added, “I thought I should wear a tie when I came to work. I bought another tie so I wouldn’t have to wear the same one every day.”
Oh my goodness, that was so cute! I just wanted to hug the stuffin’ out of him! I didn’t because I thought that might be weird and a little scary! But he was just so stinkin’ cute!!!
He went on to ask me if I knew how to get the crinkle at the top of his tie out. I told him that I thought his tie looked perfect and that was just the way ties were. I told him that when I was a young girl, I went to a Scottish boarding school and had to wear a tie like his every day. This intrigued him. And because there was no one in line behind me, we chatted for a couple of minutes.
Then he said the sweetest thing! “You are so kind”.
Not Everyone Is Kind
What a darling thing to say. Then he said, “Not everyone is kind.”
This took me back a little. “Well, shame on them if they aren’t”, I replied. And he said in a soft voice as I put my bag into my cart, “You’d be surprised how many people aren’t nice when they’re shopping. I guess it’s just the way things are.”
I actually left the grocery store a little sad. I was sad that Jason, the smartly dressed young clerk with two ties, had to work in a 15-items-or-less checkout line where people came and went all day, sometimes treating him less than nice. I was sad that people act that way. I was sad about what made people act that way. I was sad that “it’s just the way things are”. I was sad that life’s reality had smacked down my bluebird-of-happiness-kind-of-a-day!
I’ve really been thinking about my encounter with Jason and the fact that kindness is such an arbitrary commodity.
Kindness is valuable and powerful and has the ability to make a great difference in other’s lives and in our own! Why, then, is it often given so miserly.
Where Does Kindness Come From
Satan is the ruler of this world—at least, for now! I believe that all people come into this world broken because of sin. We cannot consistently and sacrificially be kind in our own power. How do I know this? Because I know me and believe what the Bible says!
But I also believe that God gives us the power, His power, to be kind.
Here’s what Galatians says…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal 5:22-23
Only when the Holy Spirit takes up residence and we give Him control over our lives can we live a life of ongoing kindness.
He gives us great power so that we can live godly lives no matter our circumstances. The fruit, or visible attribute, of kindness will pour from us!
Jesus Changes Everythings
Believe me, I lived decades without Christ’s salvation and with no Holy Spirit kindness in my life. Selfishness marked those years. I would never again want to live my life before Jesus came into it.
Oh, I could be kind and cheerful, but only when I felt that way. Kindness was not a way of life back then.
Even now, I sometimes mess up and don’t live out my God-bought-freedom-from-sin life. But, I can get right back on track and continue on! And so can you! We have a powerhouse living inside of us! The Holy Spirit helps us live out kindness and the other fruits of the Spirit.
Living The Life God Created You For
Do you have the power to live the life God has created you to live? Are you the person God made you to be?
Living a life of goodness, kindness, and joy in spite of our circumstances has so much power. Let’s live our real, God-given lives. They will bless us and everyone we meet!
Here’s a verse to think about…
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Col 3:12
Amen! In our world today we need kindness, love, and compassion. How blessed are we the believers!
Have a spirit thought day.
Yes, how blessed! Blessings upon blessings.
Yvonne, your words and meaning are so beautiful. God brings us such sweet kindness and it is up to us to spread it all over the world. I worked in retail for a few words and I realized how true it was to remember that it was my God given faith to spread kindness to each and every customer that came in the store. We never know what their story is. Amen!
I think about that often, Leslie. We never know what others are struggling with and a little kindness might make a great difference in someone’s day.
I love this post. My heart goes out to Jason with two ties and to all those like him who come into our lives each day. Human interaction can be so unnecessarily cruel. Giving a smile and a pleasant greeting costs us little but can change another’s life for the moment. How powerful is that?
So right, Penny
❤️
So true, Yvonne. Thank you for sharing your story with us today. A sweet reminder of kindness.
Kindness and Hope are my two favorite actions. I know that Love is the greatest of all, but somehow, in my life, kindness and hope seem to affect the most. And yes, where would we be without precious Holy Spirit?!! Your sweet post has made my day. Thank you for being you.
Thanks, Deb!
Love this little story! Such a good reminder to slow down and take opportunities to bless others. May people be able to say of us: “she is kind”!! God bless your day.
Yes! May the Holy Spirit work out his fruit in us.
What an inspiring post this morning Yvonne. I always remember something I was taught at work a smile does not cost a thing and you never know how it can brighten some ones day. The world is a different place then when I grew up everyone knew their neighbors and helped them whenever they could. We all need the Lord back into our hearts to manage our lives in the world today. Thank you for your wonderful post. Hopefully Jason finds more wonderful customers like you in the future and it will help him along life’s path.
Thank you for sharing, Beth. You are so right. And I think about Jason often.
Thank you for this sweet story and thank you for spreading kindness! Have a blessed day ❤️
May God bless your day too, Marcia.
Thank you for this today…I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and needed a reset. I bet your husband has a few ties to declutter and pass on to Jason. Hugs!
So cute! I hope you get out of the other side of the bed from here on out.
My husband and I always try to engage with, be kind to, and encourage people in service jobs. It’s unbelievable how rude and unkind so many people are to them. We’ve had some amazing conversations and since COVID tell them we’re going to pray for their health and safety. Then we ask if they have anything else they’d like us to pray about. Many do and some even share heavy burdens and thank us for praying!
I love this Vickie! I often ask how I can pray for them. Most of the time, they are very open and look so relieved!
Thank you, Yvonne. I really need this story today. I am, by nature, a calm kind person. I normally try to treat others as I would like to be treated. Sometimes Satan gives me a shove, but I give him a shove back. Kindness doesn’t cost anything so spend away. When I was hospitalized recently with cancer surgery, a man was cleaning my room. I asked him his name. Two days later, he was back. He was surprised that I remembered his name. We visited and found out he lived in the town where I went to college. He was so nice. Every day he came in and did “extra” cleaning just so we could visit. The day I was leaving he came in to wish me a speedy recovery. I made a new friend. Thank you for reminding me that love and kindness for our fellow man and woman is always the best way.
What a lovely story! Prayers for healing and health, Marian!
Oh, how I love this story! I, too, try to interact with the cashier’s at the stores, restaurants, etc. that I go to. I always ask them about their day and thank them for working! I’m reminded that the people that God sends our way, our sent to us for a reason. We are the only Jesus that some may every see. May they see in us the One in whom is all they’ll ever need! So thankful for you and your Sunday postings! They always make my day!
You are so sweet,Cathy! Yes, God puts people in our path for a reason.
Kindness seems to have been forgotten by so many people. I try to tell everyone I see to have a good day. Some will say it back and others ignore me. A smile also may help another person have a good day too. I have Jesus in my heart all the time and I want to share Him with everyone I meet!
This world could certainly use more kindness in it.
I really enjoyed your grocery shopping line story. You are right , not
everyone is kind out in public as they should be.
Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome, Sue!
Having been a born again believer for over 40 years, the Lord challenged me as I was praying after a very trying period we went through last year. He simply said, “I want you to be more kind and gracious.” My husband laughed and said but you are those things. I knew what the Lord meant, I am kind and gracious to those I like or respond well to me, but not to those who harm me . A challenge to change more of me, so Christ can be seen in me. Thanks Yvonne
Thank you for sharing about being kind to EVERYONE! I think we all struggle with being kind to those who aren’t to us.
Thank you for this message. I want to hug Jason myself! It is in the most unusual places that our kindness can have powerful affects. A good thing to keep in mind, because unfortunately Jason was right. Love you!!!
Thank you Melanie! ❤️
I love this story! I want to send Jason a few new ties and a pocket prayer square to brighten up his day. How can I get them to him?
I have not seen him at our local store for a while. How nice of you though.