Good Morning, Sunshine!!

This poor, sweet blog has been so neglected lately!! Although I have lots of news, plans and pictures to share, somehow they never make it from the thoughts to the keyboard!!

But, this morning, although it is a Monday is a beautiful day. The morning routine went well and as we left the house for school and work we were greeted by a beautiful sight of the sun peeking over the trees and a nice little bit of coolness in the air.

While still basking in the beauty of the morning, I turned on a local Christian radio station and was encouraged by their 'word of the day" which was KINDNESS.

We all know the benefits of being kind, the positive response it gets, the joy it brings to others and the blessings it brings back to the giver. It can actually be fun, being kind!!

But, true kindness isn't an act, it is genuine goodwill towards others. It is the mindset followed by actions of putting others before ourselves. Genuine kindness isn't just an occasional thing to do when we feel like it, it is a constant way of life. Being truly kind, isn't a by-product of how we feel, it is the driving force for the times when we don't feel like it. That isn't always fun!!

In the Scripture we find a nugget about kindness in Titus 3:

"For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men."

Christians have been shown the kindness of God, when we least deserved it. We have been changed by His kindness and mercy. Now, we should 'be careful', be deliberate, be alert for ways to engage in good deeds. What we have so richly received, we are encouraged and blessed to be able to give out to others.

May the 'word of the day" sink deep into our hearts and may we extend kindness, not just because it is right, but to honor the Lord and make His kindness known!

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