Random Acts of Kindness

Devin gave a water hose to Lakisha. Random. Yes, a true random act of kindness. Yet, Lakisha uses it to water her plants. Watering plants, something that must be done daily. Maybe not as random as it is practical. I don’t know what Devin had in his mind. “Let me give something very practical.” Or, maybe, he was responding to a prompt from the Holy Spirit. Loyal to listen to the voice of God, Devin’s random act of kindness is making a difference in someone’s life, daily.

Dina helped a homeless woman. She brought her things. Gave her handouts. This went on over a long period of time. Dina was faithful. Random. Yes, but, because of these random acts of kindness, Dina made a friend. Dina prayed that God would give her friend a safe place to live. Now, years later, Dina’s friend is reconciled with her family and lives with her sister. 

God’s Favorite Words

What are God’s favorite words? Well, I’m not sure you can assign such a human trait to God, but, If God had favorite words, at the top of the list would be faithfulness and loyalty. Which reminds me of a song:

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with strings . . .

These are a few of my favorite things.

No need to cite these lyrics. Sound of Music may be one movie that everyone has seen. This song is a reminder. Faithfulness and loyalty are not just words. They are things. They are characteristics. Where do  faithfulness and loyalty fall on your list of favorite things? How important are they to you?

Loyalty, Love, Mercy, Truth

From Proverbs we learn, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3 NIV). The RSV version of the Bible uses the word “loyalty” for the word “love.” The KJV using the word “mercy” for “love” and “truth” for “faithfulness.” The “truth” is all of these words are clearly related. 

As a Christ follower, our lives should display random acts of kindness. Often, the “random act of kindness” you think you are doing is nothing compared to the blessings you receive in return.

Also see Pray Until Something Happens.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear