Sprinkle Kindness Everywhere You Go

Kindness is Love in Action

I always smile when I see the words, ‘Sprinkle kindness everywhere you go.’ It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Even the mental image and best laid plans sound easy. But is it really? Can you or any of us sprinkle kindness daily and consistently? Can you genuinely love others when situations are tough? Do you have what it takes to conjure up a Christ-like attitude that makes it possible to put actionable steps in place for today, tomorrow or next week? It’s certainly a work in progress–Christ-like progress, but it can be done.

Kindness is ‘love in action’ — a practical expression of love.

Rick Warren 

What Attitude Will You Wear Today?

Just like getting dressed in your favorite outfit, think about what attitude you’re going to wear today? Will the kindness you extend today be Christlike? Will you be kind, regardless of how you’re treated? Can you forgive when you are wronged or mistreated or just having a bad day?

God commands us in 1 Peter 3:8-9 to love and treat others with kindness. With His commands come work on your part. Pray to be Christ-like. Pray for Him to intervene so that you can turn the other cheek.

Every day with every action we make a choice. A choice to love, to help another, to be compassionate and to forgive. Love and kindness have a direct correlation to grace, mercy, and forgiveness and He gives us strength, courage, and truths to follow.

Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind-hearted to all. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Yet again, here is another verse that commands you to be kind because God is kind to you and kindness is at the top of His list. His Word serves as an important reminder of how to treat others, as well as how you want to be treated.

Matthew 7:12, known as the ‘Golden Rule’ says it best, “so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” This rule is the active foundation of goodness and mercy–the kind of love that God shows to us everyday. [NIV footnote]

If our action is a negative one, what does that say about you? If our mistreatment of others is payback, how does that reflect on your character and integrity? How do rude actions reflect on your godly character? I think it’s safe to say, not very well. Any one of us can be ashamed when words leave our mouths that are less than Christlike or when our actions don’t reflect the love of Christ.

But God. During each misstep He forgives and showers us with His grace and mercy.

While you can’t be responsible for others actions, you can be totally responsible for your actions. Proverbs 21:21 GNT tells us, “Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.” Powerful words from the Bible.

Kindness contributes to good health and a happy life. Think of it like throwing confetti, Sprinkle kindness everywhere you go! It’s free and it’s of God.

Reflective Questions:

1. How can you equip yourselves to extend kindness everywhere you to go?
2. What good and merciful action will you take today?
3. Ask God to show you where you fall short in dispensing kindness and to show you how to respond with Christlike kindness.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for your kindness and unconditional love each and every day. When the world feels unstable and broken, thank you for showing us who You are. Help us to be kind today. Help our hearts to be tender and to forgive like You. Amen.