Intentional Kindness

The world is in a tough spot these days.  There seems to be a strong wave of discontent.  Whether it shows itself through war, violence, rage or insults, kindness seems to have been replaced by cruelty.  Making a difference seems to be a far-reaching dream versus a goal to be achieved.  Why bother trying to make an impact?  I am only one person on this earth with billions of people.  How can I change the world?

Let us step back for a minute and look at the word “sow.”  It is defined as planting by scattering on the earth!  Typically, we think of sowing seeds in the spring so that we can reap a harvest in the fall.  Today, I ask you to think about sowing in a bit of different aspect.  Is it time to ‘sow’ intentional kindness?

It is not hard to see how trying to have an influence, trying to do ‘good’ in this world, could not lead to exasperation.  This is especially true as we see all the negativity this world is showing us recently.  My friends, as Paul shared with us in Galatians, if we continue to do good things, we will reap a harvest.  The caveat?  We cannot give up!!  We need to continue to do good; we need to continue to sow good things, scatter kindness to the world – one seed at a time.  If we sow to others, I guarantee we will be ‘sowed’ upon as well – our hearts will reap the harvest.

How do we do this?  Often, people point to doing random acts of kindness – the opportunity to sow kindness to others without revealing who you are!  I subscribe to that effort but ask us to look at this a bit differently.   What about INTENTIONAL acts of kindness?  Possibly continue with the anonymity of the act but truly build intention to the kindness you want to share.  Is your passion for the elderly?  Focus on sowing kindness into elderly establishments.  Food insecurity?  There are a number of ways to sow kindness there.  Do you have efforts you would like to support?

Let us be intentional about kindness.  My husband and I recently decided to select a different effort each week, being intentional about doing a kind act to help at least one person – maybe more!  If enough of us are determined not to grow weary in doing good, imagine the impact we could have!  God wants us to sow good and kind acts.  Imagine the harvest you will reap, we all can reap, one intentional kind act at a time.

Companion Video:  Intentional Kindness

Dear Jesus, help us to be intentional about sowing kindness in this world.  May our minds be drawn to people who need to have kindness shared with them.  Please open our hearts to receive the harvest that only You can bring.  Amen!