365 Days of Kindness (eBook)

January

“However you wish to be treated by others is how you should treat everyone else.”

LUKE 6:31 TPT

JANUARY 1

Love Extension

David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2 SAMUEL 9:1 NIV

Love is a gift that keeps on giving. David’s love for his best friend, Jonathan, made him seek out how else he could share his love. You might be able to relate to this when you show care for a friend’s child or show compassion for someone you have heard about through close contacts. When you love people, you want to show love for the people in their lives as well.

Think of the person in your life that you love the most. Is there anyone they love that you are able to show kindness to for their sake? Extend the boundaries of your compassion by doing something for someone you don’t know that well today. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you if this feels a little outside of your comfort zone.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Encourage a child.

JANUARY 2

The Right Filter

Their purpose is to teach people

to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

PROVERBS 1:3 NLT

When we face moral dilemmas in our life and seemingly choose the right thing, it doesn’t always feel or look successful. These are the dilemmas that make us choose humility over pride, putting someone else first or simply standing back and not trying to defend ourselves. It takes a great amount of personal strength and discipline to do what is right, but does that always equate to things being just and fair?

Wisdom doesn’t mean you always have to come out looking like the loser! Sometimes being fair means that you have to call someone else out on their dishonesty or remove a negative person from a team for the sake of the greater good. The next time you run into a dilemma of this kind, run it through the wisdom filter of doing what is right, just, and fair. The best outcome is feeling successful because you were confident that what you decided was right.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Write an encouraging Scripture and leave it on someone’s desk.

JANUARY 3

Bird Traps

If a bird sees a trap being set,

it knows to stay away.

PROVERBS 1:17 NLT

Whether you are young or old, you have probably wandered into a few proverbial traps. You heard some fascinating gossip and moved in closer to the circle, and then added to the conversation. Or what about those times you indulged in overspending to make yourself feel better? A lot of these mistakes seem harmless, but if they are not healthy for you or others, they will ultimately take root as regret.

The warning in this proverb is simply about recognizing the triggers that set you in unhealthy patterns. It could be a person, a place, or a certain corner of your mind that leads you toward that trap you don’t want to get stuck in. Learn those triggers, and just like a bird that stays away from the known traps, figure out how to stay away from yours!

ACT OF KINDNESS

Choose to have a judgment-free day.

JANUARY 4

Wailing Wisdom

Wisdom shouts in the streets.

She cries out in the public square.

She calls to the crowds along the main street,

to those gathered in front of the city gate.

PROVERBS 1:20-22 NLT

Do you think wisdom is hard to find? Do you wonder why more people are not wise? Wisdom is talked about as being a precious stone; it is likened to gold and silver. Wisdom is noted here as being like someone shouting in the streets. Shouting! It seems that wisdom might just be something you can walk by and clearly hear if you are willing to hear.

Perhaps wisdom doesn’t sound like a calm, soothing voice; it might even sound offensive. What is wisdom shouting to you today? Take some time to recognize what those words are and consider the reason why they might not be the words you want to hear. Wisdom doesn’t always have to sound good, but the application of its words will always bring beauty to your situation.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Call someone you love and tell them you love them.

JANUARY 5

You and the Camels

After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.

GENESIS 24:19-20 NIV

When Rebekah journeyed to the well to draw water, she would have never known that day was about to change her life. Abraham’s servant was sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he prayed that he would be shown who was right for Isaac from a simple act of kindness.

Not only did Rebekah give the servant a drink, she also offered water for the camels. This kindness came from her heart not because she knew it would lead to anything greater. Let kindness be your first intention whether you reap an immediate reward or not.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Thank your garbage collector.

JANUARY 6

A Kind Risk

Please swear to me by the LORD that you will

show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will

spare the lives of my father and mother,

my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them— and that you will save us from death.

JOSHUA 2:12-13 NIV

It’s one of those moral dilemmas we don’t like to admit in the Bible. Rahab hides Joshua and his men, and then tricks the authorities and sends them away with false information. What a risky and bold move. It was something she could have lost her life for, and yet she knew she was a part of God’s plan by keeping Joshua and his men safe.

Sometimes acting in the interest of others feels like a risk. You might have to speak up about an unfair manager and put your own job on the line. You might have to confront a friend about their unsympathetic words and risk your friendship. You might have to admit a mistake to your spouse or friend and risk exposing them to hurt. Kindness takes on many forms but be brave and trust that God will protect you.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Tell someone’s manager how great they are.

JANUARY 7

Loyalty

“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.”

RUTH 3:10 NIV

Ruth was entitled to choice in her life. She did not have to travel with Naomi back to her homeland; she could have chosen to stay in her own community. She didn’t have to marry Boaz, but she chose goodness and genuine care over selfish ambition. In the end, she was blessed because of her loyal choices marked with grace and dignity.

When you are faced with choices, it is only natural to think of yourself and what the different options will mean for you. In those times, remember to allow yourself to think about how your choices might affect those around you and whether you need to be more influenced by loyalty and graciousness toward others.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Say something kind to your boss.

JANUARY 8

Stand By

Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

1 KINGS 2:7 NIV

Standing beside those who are fearful is an act of solidarity that goes well beyond words. There are many circumstances where people are afraid. It could be harmful work or home environments, a health scare, or losing a loved one. You may have gone through one or more of these and could think of people who stood by you.

Think about what mattered to you in those moments. It was the people who listened to you, encouraged you, prayed for you, and held you up when you felt like you had no strength. Ask the Lord to help you be that kind of person to someone else so they can trust you to stand by them no matter what may come.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Tell someone they matter to you.

JANUARY 9

Pay It Forward

May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.

2 SAMUEL 2:6 NIV

There is a movie about the concept of paying goodness forward. It’s a simple concept but would make a tremendous impact if we all could embrace it. Put simply, when someone shows you kindness, instead of repaying them the kindness, you pass on the good deed to someone else. When they thank you for the good deed, just tell them to “pay it forward.”

There are so many ways we can help others: simple acts like offering to take care of your friend’s kids for a couple for hours, bringing some treats to the new neighbors, or assisting your colleague with a work project. Ask the Lord to show you how to be a light to others by being like Christ in kindness and faithfulness.

ACT OF KINDNESS

Bring a meal to someone who needs it.

JANUARY 10

Remember Kindness

When our ancestors were in...