Pepperoni Pizza while still in my pajamas, past noon.
No, that wasn’t an exercise in alliteration but a reality of my circumstances as a work-from-home-mom. I am reminded of God’s kindness towards me when I see the awesome people He has placed around me. People like my friend, Rachel, who brought me pizza and tea because she knew I was up to my eyeballs in deadlines and active kids and there just wasn’t enough of me to go around. I think of my sweet friend, Bob, who is like my adopted dad as he prays for me and encourages me. There is my awesome soul-sister Ellen, who is real and prays with me over the phone when we can snatch a few minutes (hiding from our kids maybe). I’m so rich. Every time, I see people loving on crazy-me, I know it is God and his kindness.
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy.” Titus 3: 4-5
Wow, “…not on the basis of deeds which we have done…” Praise God. On days when I am not performing how I imagine I should, my kids eat dry cereal for breakfast, my cat is whining to go out, and I’m still in my pajamas…ding dong... God’s kindness shows up, sometimes with curly hair and a pizza.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is O’ Holy Night. The words paint such a vivid picture:
“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining…”
The darkness of night, the longing of the soul, AND then my favorite part:
“‘Till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”
He appeared.
His kindness and love appeared and rescued us in the form of Jesus. Our weariness becomes rejoicing as hope is restored. I have listed only a few of God’s kindnesses to me, but each one I count as a gift. I hope you can see His kindness and the gifts all around you this Christmas and I pray that you and I might be couriers of kindness to others.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” ~James 1:17
Is there someone you can share kindness with today? Perhaps just a smile and an encouraging word. Maybe they would enjoy the gift of a godly fiction book.
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