The young guy looked nervous as he sat down for his flight. His eyes darted back and forth to the plane windows. Then he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm himself—but it didn’t work. As the plane took off, he slowly rocked back and forth. An older woman across the aisle from him put her hand on his arm and gently talked to him, distracting him from his stress. “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “We’re going to be okay” and “You’re doing well” were a few things she whispered. She could have been irritated with him or ignored him. But she chose a touch and a few words. Little things. When they landed three hours later, he said, “Thank you so much for helping me.”

Examples of real care and kindness can be hard to find. Kindness is not easy for many of us; we’re often too busy thinking about ourselves. But when Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (EPH. 4:32), he was not saying it all depends on our ability to be nice. After we’ve been given a new life by trusting Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to change us. Kindness is what God’s Spirit is doing, making us more like Jesus in our thoughts and attitude (V.23).

God is at work in us, making us more kind, patient and full of His love. No matter where we are on that journey, because we know Jesus for ourselves, we’re ready right now to share His kindness to those we meet today.

By: Ames Chen

To Pray About . . .

Father, use me today to bring someone hope and encouragement.