Lovingkindness
 

Lovingkindness

Read Luke 19:1-10

Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
-Romans 12:10 (NRSV)

ONE day I observed a young girl, about 10 years old, as she gave a beautiful rose to an old woman and addressed her, saying, "God bless you." The woman, who was obviously homeless and shabbily dressed, exclaimed, "In all my years, no one has ever shown me such kindness. Thank you, little one." A loving gesture, word, or deed can make an impact on others.

Jesus showed us this in the way he received and spoke to people. When he met the tax collector Zacchaeus, Jesus did not use judgmental language to address him. He did not condemn him. Instead, he reached out in friendship, calling him by name and saying, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today."

A word of love, acceptance, or encouragement offered at the right moment can demonstrate love and make a difference in another person's life.

Lillián Saldaña Campos (Holguin, Cuba)
Prayer
Lord, teach us to express your love in words and deeds of kindness. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*

Thought for the Day
Every loving act changes the world for the better.

There is a big difference between offering kindness when you expect something in return.

Kindness comes from the heart, not the head.

Don't do it because you HAVE TO, do it because you WANT TO.

It is good to give, whether it is love, kindness, compassion, empathy, affirmation, etc. it doesn't mean a thing, if there are ulterior motives instead of unconditional love.