KINDNESS INSPIRES KINDNESS
Three years ago, a couple in Hull, England, delivered a stillborn baby girl. On the day little Willow would’ve been 3, the couple went to a local park to spread kindness to others in the name of their daughter. They placed flowers, chocolates, and a card with Willow’s story on benches and cars to delight others in her memory. A teenage boy found the chocolates and note, and was moved to take it to school. His compassion caused the teacher to devote a day to having the class write notes of kindness and encouragement back to the parents. The parents’ random act of kindness led to kindness in return.
EXTRAVAGANCE INSPIRES EXTRAVAGANCE
A woman of Judea, whose sins were many, was forgiven by Jesus. His extravagant kindness led her to perform an extravagant act of her own. Weeping, she poured perfume from an alabaster jar onto Jesus’ feet. In Jewish culture, this was improper on a number of levels, but she didn’t care. He had saved her, and her gratitude spilled out into an act of pure love.
Questions
- When has someone’s act of kindness inspired you to perform an act of kindness to someone else?
- What is it about kindness (or the opposite) that generates the same in us?
- What is one way you could express love to someone else because of the extravagant love Christ has given you?
