Love is Kind

Love is kind.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT)

On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, Evan, a sophomore at City High, was racing in a cross-country meet when he noticed a boy from a competing team who veered off course when he was distracted by an ambulance. Realizing this boy had special needs, Evan ran towards him and grabbed his hand. Evan ran, hand in hand, with Adam Todd for one and a half miles, spurring the boy on with encouraging words.

“It was pretty amazing actually. I kind of pushed him in front of me when he finished. I wanted him to be in front of me because he finished it by himself, I’d like to say,” Evan said.

As they neared the finish line, other members of Evan’s team ran along with them, encouraging Adam the whole way.

“I can’t tell you the immense pride I felt,” said Jayme Skay, Evan’s coach. Skay said he and the opposing team’s coach both got choked up at the scene. “You coach 20, 30 years, and it’s moments like that, that make it all worth it.”

Adam’s father said his son was thrilled to finish the race and knew he had a special buddy on the course.

Kindness flows from a heart that is attuned to others and places others’ needs before self. It is a mindset, a choice, to give of one’s self to others, whether one’s actions and intentions are appreciated or not. 

In Galatians 5:22, kindness is listed as a Fruit of the Spirit – our thoughtful actions are simply an outward expression of the kindness God has poured into our own lives.

It is easy to become so absorbed in our own struggles that we fail to notice the needs of those around us. Yet many acts of kindness don’t necessarily require a lot of time. Sometimes it’s as simple as sending a card, letting someone know you are praying for them, or providing a meal.

Remember to show kindness; not because you have to, but because God calls you to be like Him.

Thought: “Grace means undeserved kindness. It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God’s favor.” – Dwight L. Moody