ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 10, 2022
Have you ever been on the other side of an act of genuine kindness? I’m talking about something a bit more demanding than someone holding the door for you or letting you sneak into the 12 or less checkout line with 18 items. What concerns me are the acts of kindness I did not notice. Even if there are many excellent excuses for why I might have been unaware, it grieves my spirit. For many who chose to show kindness, their expectation was not a thank you or a gesture of gratitude. There are some people in this world who are in the business of doing kindness and spreading goodwill, yet the catalyst is not some direct return on their action. They do not view it as an exchange or quid pro quo. In Colossians 3, Paul tells his folks to clothe themselves in many good things, including kindness. If we are wearing the garment of kindness, then it is the first thing people will notice when they see us. Some might even hope their kindness inspires kindness in others, and that would be a fabulous gift in return. The challenge, however, is to continue bringing kindness into a world that appears uninterested, if not dismissive. Those who keep wearing kindness into the world are those whose closets find every hanger draped with kindness, so there is nothing else to confuse their choice.
Kind and Generous God, let me do a little cleaning of my spiritual closet, pulling out whatever might hinder my capacity to drape myself in the kindness our world yearns to see and experience. Provide me glimpses of Jesus who showed kindness, especially to the ones society did not believe were deserving of such a gift. Amen.
