by Lisa DeRosa
Tomorrow, November 13th is World Kindness Day. Especially this year, I appreciate that this celebration follows closely behind election day in the US, when we need this reminder the most.
Its purpose is clearly stated “to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us.”
I appreciated reading the ideas that the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation gives for #MakeKindnessTheNorm. So practical, simple, and easy to do while distant socializing! Check out 35 more if you need ideas!
Yes! Magazine shares images in “Some Kind of Wonderful” as an artistic representation of kindness to neighbors during the pandemic.
One resource I found is Kindness Matters, which is “a campaign designed to improve the way all people interact with each other. It is in honor of 13 year old Peyton A. James, who took his life after years of being bullied.” Sadly, Peyton was not alone in his action of ending his life due to bullying… “Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year, according to the CDC.” My heart aches for those who have lost loved ones due to the lack of kindness of other humans in all aspects of this broken world, including bullying, rudeness, hate crimes, racism, and the list goes on.
As believers, we are called to be kind! God is so kind to us!!! It is clear throughout the Bible that as people who love God, we are to love people and show kindness towards them, because God continually shows it to us.
- Blessed are those who have learned to shout praise to you. LORD, they live in the light of your kindness. Psalm 89:15 (NIV)
- The LORD appeared to us in the past. He said, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. I have kept on loving you with a kindness that never fails. Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV)
- All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven. Luke 1:78 (NIV)
- Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
- But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17 (NIV)
- You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
- To godliness, add kindness for one another. And to kindness for one another, add love. 2 Peter 1:17 (NIV)
Reading those verses motivates me toward a posture of kindness. I know with my busy schedule, selfishness, and excuses, it’s so easy to miss out on opportunities to be kind! But when I slow down and stop to recognize the amazing kindness that God has for me and other humans He created, I want to share that with people! Everyone can use a kind word or act in their day!
These days, even the simple act of listening to someone can feel like a huge source of kindness. In our world where there is so much noise and everyone seems to be trying to talk over one another, listening is hard to come by. Maybe that can be the small, random act of kindness that you choose for today.
What are ways that you can make kindness the norm in your life? Challenge yourself to one random act of kindness that you want to do tomorrow. Or start today! Please share what you decide with us!
For more ideas and reading about World Kindness Day, check out these posts: