The Key to Kindness
Our Fame Pastors have been walking us through the power of the fruits of the Spirit this Spring. Pastor Martina shares that sometimes taking responsibility for yourself and moving forward in health and self care is the best first step in being kind towards others.
This week I had a HARD time being kind to my husband. On Sunday, we had our most regular contention where he wants to stay home and watch sports and I want to get out! I’d like to go to the beach, take our kids somewhere fun, go to the gym, or save the world (anything). But I knew he had just run a church class and worked hard all morning to make another great Sunday happen and I wasn’t up for the fight of getting him to get moving with me. So I got the kids dressed and left without much of a conversation and hoped he would enjoy the time to himself. Man, was I wrong. I guess 6 hours alone in a messy house had him feeling pressure to clean alone... and not answering his calls was not what he had in mind.
I have the hardest time being kind to the people who I’m closest to. The ones who will love me no matter what. Like my husband, my siblings, my best friends, and my parents. My husband and I have a joke because sometimes at the end of the day he says to me, "I just want you to be kind to me." We often laugh about it, but it’s serious. It’s tough to be kind to people who are always there for you.
Kindness is possibly the most important thing you can extend to those around you, yet can often feel the most difficult.
“Those who are kind benefit themselves” Proverbs 11:17
For me, when I’m not being kind, I find that it's because I am unhappy with my own choices and circumstances. I didn’t wake up early enough, I missed my workout, then I ate a bag of kettle corn and watched a show, when I wish that I had just read a development book and cleaned out the garage. So why do I take my frustration out on my husband? I wrongfully expect him to be the person I cannot be, and make me better. That is an unfair expectation. Sometimes taking responsibility for yourself and moving forward in health and self care is the best first step in being kind towards others.
Instinctively, if our plane was crashing, they say it’s very hard to put on our own mask instead of putting on our child’s first. But once we pass out, what help will we be to anyone? Start by being kind to yourself. Then your kindness will overflow to those all around you.
Jesus makes it clear in the Bible that we first must take care of ourselves before we can help others.
Many times, Jesus would be found taking a nap (they’re biblical), relaxing at dinner, walking in nature. Refreshing and rejuvenating in order to give back is healthy!
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26
Any smart woman knows that opening your mouth with wisdom always starts with a nap!
How can you be kind to yourself and to those closest to you this week?
Love you all,Martina McKinney