Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness - Lawrence

The fruit of the Spirit as named by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I have been looking at each one in turn and, this month, I will meditate on the spiritual fruit of kindness.

…be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

What is kindness? I think of kindness as a leap of the heart towards another person. Kindness can be manifested in a pleasant word or action; perhaps a gesture of love, like a smile or a small offering to another person.

Kindness is something that lifts the heart of the one who receives it by its thoughtfulness. It is, indeed, tender-hearted on the part of the giver of the kindness and causes the one who receives it a feeling of tender-heartedness also.

Kindnesses are usually small but are remembered for many years by the recipient. Gestures of kindness may be so minute that the one who performs them may not have any recollection of them.

The spiritual fruit of kindness is small but beautiful. It is like the non-cultivated variety of nature’s fruit—the wild strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry—growing quietly under the plant’s leaves, small in size and sweet to the taste.

Kindness does not overwhelm the recipient; kindness is unassuming; kindness is simple in its manifestation and expects no thanks. Kindness is like a ray of sunshine that pierces the clouds on an overcast day, giving light and warmth to all who see it.

© Judith Lawrence

This meditation was first published in June 2008 on the meditation page of my website: www.judithlawrence.ca/monthly.php

Highway of Holiness: Soul Journey

Highway of Holiness: Soul Journey may be purchased at my website: www.judithlawrence.ca