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Acts of kindness towards others are always beautiful to behold no matter how small they are. Can you remember the last time somebody was kind to you? These times resonate with me deeply as it can be extremely humbling depending on the need. One such time for me occurred in 2011 at the Feast of Tabernacles in France while crying my eyes out listening to a sermon given by Mr. Dennis Luker which I could relate to. All it took was a tissue to be given while my nose dripped along with a very wet face. If I had known I was going to cry so much I would have brought along a packet of tissues. That took me completely by surprise and yet a need was filled by a thoughtful, kind COG member who noticed my reaction which I was so desperately trying to hide. This simple kindness meant so much to me during those moments of sadness, grief and vulnerability. The point is that kindness is still kindness no matter the smallest degree of time or effort made as the reasons for these acts are so varied, multitudinous, even limitless, and a matter of the heart. What do we have in our hearts?
Can you think of the last act of kindness you provided towards another? Most likely for a family member, neighbour or friend, but what about a total stranger? We probably do not remember all of them but God does. He knows and is most interested in what we do and do not do. Several times kind men nearby have come to my aid years ago when the family car broke down on my way home from work by helpfully pushing it off to the side of the road. That saved me a whole lot of embarrassment and all I could say was a big thank you which felt inadequate at the time. We all need help with one thing or another and it is marvellous in my eyes how God provides this help exactly when we need it.
Kindness can be overlooked especially in these times when many are desensitised to what is going on around them. As God tells us in scripture we must not become weary in doing good and showing kindness (Galatians 6:9-10). Proverbs 19:22 speaks of what we look for in others -- kindness -- as we very much appreciate others doing good to us. Desiring kindness is a very good quality for character development as we become more like God who lists kindness as part of the fruit we should have in Galatians 5:22-23. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:12 about putting on kindness as part of the character of God once we are His disciples. Ephesians 4:32 mentions that we should be kind to one another. Proverbs 31:26 says the law of kindness is on the tongue of the virtuous wife while she speaks in wisdom and we who are women in God’s service all surely agree that we aim to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that when we love others kindness is part of our love, therefore kindness is love sincerely desiring the best for others and should be unconditionally given.
The Bible is full of kind acts from people we enjoy reading about such as Ruth towards Naomi and towards Boaz. There are only 4 chapters to read about Ruth and what she did for others and then how God blessed her and her descendants. God is willing and able to bless us too with blessings we can't even imagine while we show faith and demonstrate obedience towards our Father. Dorcas or Tabitha is another example of a woman who showed kindness towards others around her. Kindness is part of agape love. To be kind with a genuine heart doing good to brethren, neighbours, and even to strangers is how Jesus Christ set the example for us to see while reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
There is a particular example from the Bible that stays in my mind about kindness that took place when it was something that could have easily been neglected, ignored or not even noticed for that matter. However the example is set there for us to meditate upon and while we think about what David did, consider why he went out of his way for someone else who was pretty much invisible to others -- someone who could not even repay any kindness. This account can be referenced from 2 Samuel 9:1-13 "Now David said, 'Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?' And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, 'Are you Ziba?' He said, 'At your service!' Then the king said, 'Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?' And Ziba said to the king, 'There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.' So the king said to him, 'Where is he?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.' Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, 'Mephibosheth?' And he answered, 'Here is your servant!' So David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.' Then he bowed himself, and said, 'What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?' And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, 'I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.' Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, 'According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.' 'As for Mephibosheth,' said the king, 'he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.' Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet".
David desired to show "the kindness of God" as the scripture states for Jonathan's sake. They had a bond that was so strong it transposed the culture and customs of that time. Jonathan had died along with his father King Saul leaving David heart broken. Now that David was King he was able to give to others in a very profound way and had Mephibosheth and his son Micha dine at his table as one of his sons. There could be no greater blessing and kindness bestowed on Jonathan's son and grandson from David who ensured their wellbeing for life and by the account we are given, Mephibosheth was crippled by lameness in both feet therefore unable to walk and engage in work. This was a very needful blessing and God knew it. David allowed God to work through him when he showed kindness. This was a very thoughtful and considerate act as Mephibosheth was nowhere in sight and David had no memory of him.
Perhaps we can relate to this account because when God called us out of the world we were like "dead dogs" who were given God's kindness in order to begin our relationship with our Creator. Consider how grateful we are for God's kindness, grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, provisions and blessings He so lovingly bestows upon us. Let us always determine in our hearts to think of others in whatever needs they have and fulfill our purpose by exercising kindness towards them as we are able to even if in a very small matter.