All it Takes is a Smile

 

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~Proverbs 14:31

Here's a riddle for you.  What costs you nothing to give, yet makes you richer in the giving?  The answer?  Kindness!

In my comings and goings, no matter where I find myself, I try to be aware of the demeanor of the people around me.  What expressions do their faces display?  Do they seem worried, preoccupied, frustrated, detached?  Armed with a smile, I will try to make eye-contact.  It's amazing how quickly an unexpected smile will be flashed in return.

Many times, too, when the situation seems appropriate, I'll actually speak my kindness aloud.  For example, earlier this year, Danny and I are dining out and I spot a young couple with a toddler who has the most stunning eyes and excellent table manners to match.  I approach them and offer my sincere compliments regarding their child's behavior.  Their thank-yous and sweet smiles are the only reward I could ever want or need.

I'm willing to wager that all of you who regularly visit my blog practice random acts of kindness in your daily lives as much as you possibly can.  I can tell not only from the encouragement you give me in your comments, but also from the content of your varied and meaningful blogs.  So many of you highlight kindness in words and in the photos you share.  I hope you know, dear friends, that you are making this world a better place with every post you pen.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  And we know as believers that the source of these virtues does not have its origin in sinful humanity, but comes from God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  We are only able to nurture these fruits horizontally if first we seek the vertical:  a living relationship with the Lord.

As Solomon states, when we are kind to the needy (and I would argue that we are ALL needy), we are honoring God.  To do otherwise is to pose the lie that we don't need our heavenly Father every single moment of every single day.

When we intentionally practice kindness toward others, we are doing our part, no matter how small, to bring God's kingdom to fruition here on earth.

And sometimes, all it takes is a smile.

Amen!