Day 3: Loving-Kindness by Katie LaPierre
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Don’t forget to be kind today, Mama! Kind to your neighbor, yes, but most importantly, kind to those you live with! Those are the people who need your kindness and patience most.
The definition of kind is having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. And some synonyms are kindly, good-natured, kindhearted, tenderhearted, warmhearted, softhearted, good-hearted, tender, caring, feeling, affectionate, loving, warm, gentle, mellow, mild.
I am naturally not a kind person. Well, at least with those closest to me… somehow, I manage to be kind to the stranger in the store.
It shouldn’t be this way.
I want a heart of repentance in my children, don’t you? Guess what? God says it’s His kindness that leads people to repentance.
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
If we want to be around repentant people, we can be encouraged to know God’s kindness through us leads to repentance. Not a rude or harsh tone. Not a demeaning or nasty attitude. But a heart of kindness.
May the Lord help us today to be tenderhearted toward our children, friendly toward them, and affectionate. May He convict us when we are tempted to lash out, overreact, or say harsh things. May our Father grant us the power to be friendly toward our husbands and gentle with them.
Enjoy your day of kindness, Mama!
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26