The Power of Kindness

One morning, an 83-year-old man was ordering his breakfast at his local McDonald’s drive-thru. A young lady in the car behind him leaned on her horn, started mouthing rude comments, and gave the old man the “Hawaiian Good Luck” sign with her middle finger because she felt he was taking too long to place his order. When the old man pulled up to the first window, he paid for her order along with his own. As they moved up in the line, the cashier told the young woman about the kind gesture the man had done for her.

The young woman, feeling guilty by this time, leaned out of her window and waved to the man, mouthing, “Thank you!”—obviously embarrassed that the man had repaid her rudeness with kindness. When the old man got to the second window, he showed the server both receipts—and took the woman’s bag of food too. Now the young woman had to go back to the end of the line and start all over again.

The moral of the story: Don’t blow your horn at old people—they have been around a long time.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of kindness. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be reflections of His love—and one of the most tangible ways to do this is through the characteristic of kindness. Jesus showed kindness throughout His ministry—whether He was healing the sick, feeding the hungry, or simply spending time with those who were outcast and overlooked. His actions were rooted in love and compassion, setting an example for us to follow.

Kindness is more than just being polite; it’s a powerful expression of God’s love in action. Because “Love IS Action.” It’s a smile to a stranger, a listening ear to a friend in need, a word of encouragement to someone who is discouraged, or a helping hand to someone struggling. When we show kindness, we create a ripple effect of hope and healing in a world that desperately needs it.

Listen closely: Showing kindness requires humility and selflessness. It means putting others’ interests before your own—even when it’s inconvenient. It’s about seeing the needs of others and being willing to step in with love, just as Jesus did. And while your actions may seem small, they have the potential to make a profound impact.

Ponder the following two questions:

• What ‘tangible action step’ can you take to show kindness to someone in your life today?
• Are there people you find difficult to be kind to? If so, ask God to soften your heart and help you see them through His eyes.

Show kindness today!