God Speaking

“I led them with cords of human kindness with ties of love, I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.”

(Hosea 11: 4)

We often read in the media of random acts of kindness, but rarely know of what affect that has on the person who receives them.

A few weeks ago, I was recipient of not one, but three beautiful simple gestures that changed my day. I was feeling very despondent and sad and felt I had to at least go for a walk in the sunshine to escape the loneliness of my apartment. As I was walking down a walk in my neighbourhood, I came across a lady in a motorised wheelchair sitting in the sunlight. I stopped to pat the tiny dog she had with her and she looked up and with a beautiful smile said, you are looking very beautiful today, I certainly didn’t feel very beautiful, but she was wearing a tee shirt that said, be kind to one another, and that and her smile lifted my spirits . I told her how beautiful her smile was and was rewarded by another one.

My step quickened and a moment later saw a friend who I had not seen for ages. Her warm hug brightened me yet again! As I wandered into one of our shops, I was rewarded this time with laughter, as I lined up at the check out another old lady was laughing with the cashier and she turned to include me in their joke, and I laughed with them. A smile, a hug, laughter who would have thought that would change my mood to joy. I thanked God for the kindness of others and walked home filled with joy.

I love the way the Lord told the children of Israel that he would bind them to him with cords of kindness while he lead them (Hosea 11: 4) When we know we are bound to him with cords of kindness, we can spread that kindness to others, as we go about our daily life, as I learnt even the smallest gestures can bring sunshine into someone’s life, as well it is good for us to recognise the kindness of others as I learnt in my walk and don’t just brush it off, savour each simple gesture you experience and the day will grow immeasurably brighter.

The lord also speaks through Jeremiah to remind his people what his characteristics are and what we can inherit by being one of his children

“But let him who boasts, boast about this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9: 24)

So when we experience those simple gestures of kindness, let us remember where they originate from and give thanks to the Lord.