“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth
in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25, 26 (NASB)
When I think of my mother, I think of so many of the “fruits of the Spirit” that she demonstrated to me and to so many others. One that I especially love is kindness.
The verses I quoted from Proverbs are perhaps very familiar ones, but should never be overlooked because of their familiarity. When I ponder this quality, it’s evident that many other aspects are also an integral part of this.
What does it mean to be kind? To me, it implies thinking of others and their needs; an unselfish perspective of/for those around you. It often involves putting their interests or needs before your own. (Philippians 2:3-4) In Proverbs 3:3, we are challenged, “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
This is May, a month when we honor, recognize, and appreciate Mothers. Many of us were blessed to have mothers who were loving and kind. However, it is certainly not a quality only for women! I’m reminded of the story of King David, in the Old Testament; how he showed kindness to the crippled son of his closest friend, Jonathan. (2 Samuel 9:1-13)
A very important concept needs to be emphasized, in the challenge from Proverbs 3:3 to “write truth and kindness on the tablets of our hearts”. “Truth” without kindness could be very harsh or abrasive; “kindness” without truth may prevent someone from making very important changes that would need to be made! It is not kind, to not inform someone of something they need to know!
Dear Lord, Help us to write kindness and truth on the tablets of our hearts. By Your grace, enable us to kindly “Speak the truth in love..” (Ephesians 4:15a). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
