The holiday season can really bring out the best and the worst in us. We all have our war stories of the holiday past. Even with the struggles and battles that ensue during the holidays there is one truly wonderful aspect about the holidays: kindness. One of my favorite things about Christmas and Chanukah is that people are generally more kind than usual. Sure, you have the Grinch’s here and there and they can really take a bite out of you if you let them, but overall, people are so giving this time of year.

You hear the ringing of the bell and know that the extra change in your pocket is going to go to the Salvation Army. The evergreen trees they have inside stores are a reminder that there are some children who won’t get a Christmas like yours, so you buy a gift. I don’t know if it’s because people are trying to make up for the intense amount of buying and taking for self they are doing. Maybe the Spirit of God is flowing more readily and people are actually allowing themselves to be influenced by Him rather than our enemy. There is just something special about this time of year.

I have been contemplating this idea of kindness for several days now, and I’m moved to remind you that we are only able to be kind because of the kindness that God first showed to us. I want to encourage you to look to the Lord for your ability to be kind rather than doing your good deed for the day, or because it’s the right thing to do. When we seek our Savior with all our hearts, when we have truly laid down our lives in submission to Him, a love begins to grow. Through this love an outpouring of Holy Spirit and Living Water ensues.

This love is unlike any other love on Earth. In fact, it doesn’t exist here on Earth. This love that begins to pour out of your life through your words and actions reflects the very character of God Himself. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). The same is true for all the other qualities that God calls of us.

Joy. Peace. Patience. Self-Control. Compassion. And Kindness.

God’s kindness is expressed in so many wonderful ways. Take your pick of Scripture and you can find a glimpse of His kindness. Romans 2:4, His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. Romans 11:22, urges us to remain in His kindness so that we may continue to experience His kindness. The Lord showed His kindness to Nehemiah in allowing him to return and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. God showed His kindness to Noah’s family. Exodus 20:6 and Deuteronomy 5:10 speak about the kindness (love) God shows to thousands of generations. I can’t think of an account in the Bible that doesn’t have a glimpse of His kindness in some form or another.

What I would love is for this truth to sink into your heart: our kindness is a reflection of the kindness that God first showed us. And when we’re feeling depleted, angry, bitter, or discouraged we can look to the Lord for strength to continue on. It’s in the overflow of our Living Water that we are able to be kind to those around us.

May the Lord continue to show His kindness to you as you walk in His truths. May He impart His peace and joy to your heart.