If you’ve followed this month’s blog series, you’ve probably put the puzzle together that I wrote about being Thankful for:
(TH)ings,
(A)ctive life, and
(N)o. So this week finishes off our (THANK)ful series with being thankful for…
(K)indness.
In Romans 2, Paul talks about us passing judgment on one another and how it’s God who will judge. In verse 4, he says, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Forbearance is defined as patience, self-control, restraint, and tolerance. God restrained Himself and showed me kindness and patience. His kindness led me to repentance. I am SO, SO thankful for that (K)indness. He was patient with me when I didn’t deserve it (this morning not just when I was a teen…). He didn’t give up on me and decide I wasn’t worth the effort.
Feelings v. Decision
That’s the kindness we must extend to our children. Sometimes we won’t feel like it. My husband says, “You can’t help what you feel, but you can help what you do about it.” DECIDE to show kindness to your children no matter how you feel.
Kindness is doing the right thing out of the tenderness or compassion in your heart. Goodness is doing the right thing no matter what, but kindness comes from tenderness.
If you start to become frustrated, shutting your children out because of their consistent misbehavior, remind yourself of and tap into God’s kindness. Your kindness is limited. His is not. He is patient. He is kind. He bears all things.
You’ve heard it before, let it sink in again…
“Love is patient. Love is kind… Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things… Love never ends.” (taken from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV)
“God is love.” 1 John 4:8b
God’s love for us comes out in kindness. Let your love for your children come out in GOD’S kindness toward them. He tenderly gave you to them as a gift. Be the gift He intended you to be for them. Be kind.
I am thankful for God’s kindness. I am thankful for His patience that’s led my children and me to repentance. How about you?
What can you do to show God’s kindness to your children today?