Unusual Kindness

Alan Brehm - "We find what we're looking for in life when we give ourselves away in kindness and compassion for others, rather than trying to take as much as we can get for ourselves."

I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating - "our world is in need of more kindness!" We have become self-absorbed and consumed with trying to 'get' for ourselves, that we have overlooked those in need of God's kindness. 

When Luke recounts what happened on the island of Malta, he notes that they were treated with unusual kindness.

"The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold." - Acts 28:2

What may have shocked Luke and Paul the most was that they didn't expect the locals in Malta to be kind to them. Perhaps they had already pre-judged them? Kindness offers us a chance to re-evaluate the way we think and feel about people. 

If God treats us with unusual kindness, then perhaps we should learn to offer this same kindness to others. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Day is coming

One of the verses from today's Lectionary readings really fills us with a deep sense of Hope. Although we don't know when things will change in our current situation, we should always hold onto the great promise of a "better day". 

With Jesus this day is a past and present event. It is in the past, in that Jesus has already given us the glimpse of a new life. However, it is also in the future as we long for the return of our Lord. 

"The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah." - Jeremiah 31:31

Alan Brehm - "Sometimes we find ourselves asking whether God is anything more than a … powerless presence. And yet Jeremiah said, "the days are coming." Days of restoration, days of rebuilding, days of returning to hope and faith and joy. With this promise in mind, we can find the faith not to lose heart in the face of all that is wrong with our world."

Lent is a period in our lives where we find the faith not to lose heart in our troubled world. We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the one who makes all things new.

Living in Grace

D3LM3