Kindness is such a beautiful expression of love.
A kind word. A kind action. Kindness negates self-centeredness because we’re considering someone else’s needs before our own.
Sometimes it’s easier to be kind to a stranger than it is to be kind to a family member or friend. We let someone go ahead of us in the grocery line. Or we buy coffee for the driver behind us in the Starbucks or Dutch Brothers line.
But those closest to us? There are times we need to slow down long enough to remember that yes, we love them too — and that love is kindness. (1 Corinthians 13:4)
It’s not about waiting for someone to be kind to us … it’s about stepping out … speaking up … being kind today as an expression of our love to those around us.
In Others’ Words: When has someone’s kindness lifted your spirits? Who can you be kind to today?
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I apologize for this blog post being late. My website was down — when I went to post the blog, I was met with a “FORBIDDEN” message. But my web guru got things up and running again!
[ctt template=”8″ link=”9wQI1″ via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: The Essence of Love http://wp.me/p63waO-2pl #quotes #kindness [/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”_09t8″ via=”yes” ]\”The essence of love is kindness.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2pl #quotes #love[/ctt]
Comments 15
Kind, encouraging words have been a balm to a wounded spirit on more than one occasion. Actions are good. And words for those whose love language is words of affirmation can be as powerful as a kind act. I am going to be kind to my sons today. And you’re right. Sometimes being kind to family members is harder. 🙂
Author
Jeanne,
You bring up an interesting subject: love language. It is important to know how others receive love. Through significant time spent with them, through words, through touch, gifts, acts of service. So often we give love to others the way we receive love, not the way they do.
No, the essence of love is discipline and honour.
It seems that Robert Louis Stevenson might not, after all, have been a Klingon.
Author
Oh, Andrew … no, I don’t think Stevenson was a Klingon. And, of course, you may choose your on essence of love. 🙂
Such truth here.
Author
Thank you, Davalynn. I appreciate the everyone’s insights.
Kindness costs nothing, yet both the giver and receiver are much richer for it. How we treat others is a choice, and I choose kindness.
Author
Such an excellent point, Lisa. It’s true, both the giver and the receiver are much richer because of kindness. 🙂
From this quote methinks R. L. Stevenson was quite familiar with I Corinthians 13. Yes, sometimes being kind to family members that we poke and get poked by in close proximity needs to be more intentional. But I usually find that those efforts help break the pattern ti move us out of the repetitive maze into new more constructive directions.
Author
Dee: Such wisdom! Yes, kindness can break the patterns we so easily settle into — reminding us that we do love those closest to us. 🙂
One of my really close friends recently surprised me with an offer to pay my way to a Dallas Stars hockey game for my birthday. I was blown away by that. Honestly, I was expecting a book, but this experience is so much sweeter because it means I get to spend more time with her (and my sis, who is also going to the game with us) than I would were I reading a book in my own time. (Trust me, though, book gifts are AMAZING too.)
I sometimes surprise my sister by purchasing her ticket at the movies. And I surprised my parents by making Chocolate Deluxe (a chocolate-lover’s poke cake) for our Labor Day barbecue the other day. Popping those happy, kind surprises into the everyday lives of my family and friends makes all of us happy. It’s one way I’ve learned to be kind to those closest to me–you know, those who have seen me at my worst. Maybe these happy moments remind them why they love me through the not-so-happy ones. 🙂
Author
Andrea: Thank you for sharing those kindnesses. It put a smile on my face to think of others being so kind to you and you also being so kind to others. See the special magic of kindness? 🙂
Absolutely! Another kindness? One time when I was heading through Colorado Springs, this author gave up some of her time to meet my family and me at Panera for lunch. It was a blessing to all of us, I believe, and I cherish those memories so much. Hugs!
Author
🙂 I know for a fact that author was blessed by the kindness of the family.
The essence of love is lost. the ceremonious nature of love is lost.the era where there was a beauty in love that old world beauty of being in love. Love has to coincide and coexist with respect. Social media has created far easier ways to fall in love with the people. You can get angry, you can get abusive, you can troll people easily.