Kind of . . .
Harry Potter!
One of the television stations ran a Harry Potter marathon recently (actually they do this pretty regularly so it wasn’t an event). I wasn’t watching intently (in fact, I don’t know which of the movies it was), but I did hear dialogue that ran something along these lines—Dumbledore: You’re unfailingly kind, Harry—a trait that is undervalued.
I agree with Dumbledore. Kindness does seem to be in short supply right now. From road rage incidents to airline melees to general rudeness, it appears that people have become angrier, more self-centered, and readier to act out their animosity. What happened to kindness? Has it become utterly extinct?
I hope not. I think not. I think not because I’ve experienced real kindness more than once.
A long time ago I had to have my gall bladder removed. I was hospitalized for ten days and took about six months to recover (this was before laparoscopy was the surgery of choice for this procedure.) As I was being admitted and while I was still in the emergency room, I remember lying on a hard surface and shivering. A woman in hospital scrubs came past the room where I waited. I must have looked pathetic because she stopped and came into the room. She asked if I was cold and if I’d like a blanket. Oh, man, did I ever want a blanket! She brought one to me and even wrapped it around me. When I thanked her, she said that the Lord must have sent her by at just that moment. I think so, too. That was an act of kindness; she received nothing in return for her kindness to me.
In November 2006 Charlie fell from a ladder and seriously broke his right side from his collarbone to his pelvis. He spent twelve days in the hospital. He spent several months doing various kinds of rehab. I spent those days and months doing hospital and rehab, too. We experienced kindness in ever so many ways—meals, visits, calls, cards, and prayers. Our friends who are doctors or nurses offered their professional expertise. Since he fell just before the holidays, friends offered their help with holiday preparations. It amazed us and touched us.
Having experienced these kindnesses and many others, I’d like to offer a few tips about kindness:
- Do practical. Find a practical way to be kind; fill a need. That blanket the medical staffer brought for me stands out as one of the kindest actions I’ve ever experienced. Write a note, text encouragement, give a compliment, take a meal, offer your time and effort.
- Bite your tongue. Sometimes the kindest action you can take is to say nothing at all. Think through whether what you’re considering saying will really help. Sometimes just listening is the very most helpful and kindest thing you can do. Focus in, make eye contact, and demonstrate that you understand. If you don’t understand, say so and ask questions, but don’t be intrusive.
- Go out of your way. Kindness takes effort—sometimes a lot of effort. Do it anyway.
Kindness is one of the traits that’s listed among the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit is growing that fruit in us and using it to mature us and to reach out to others through us. Kindness matters. Kindness makes a difference.
“Your words are powerful. With a few kind words you can transform a person’s day and sometimes their entire life.” Nicky Gumbel
So go for it! Let your kindness shine!
Questions for you: What’s the most memorable kindness you’ve experienced? What can you do to show kindness this week?