"May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead." Ruth 2:20, ESV

"the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26, ESV

"He has told you, oh man, what is good: And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8, ESV

"But the fruit of the Spirit is... kindness..." Galatians 5:22, ESV

I love living in Happy, Texas! I, a "big city" boy, moved to this small town 29 years ago and have never wanted to leave. People know each other here. They help each other out when they need it and are quick to pray for one another in a way that goes beyond the mere statements like "We'll be thinking of you."  People are usually quick to express their appreciation, as well as their support and sympathy. All of these kindnesses were things that I was not used to outside of the church and home, for once you step out of these places in most large towns, kindness seems to go out the window.

I like the way that people can disagree with one another but do so in a way that is still courteous, respectful, and especially loving. Every once in a while, people forget these virtues (and it is true that there are still some who have yet to acquire them) but kindness usually prevails for it exists in the hearts of the majority of the people who live in this small town.

And this is important, because kindness is so desperately needed in a world that just seems to be getting meaner and meaner. It is refreshing to the soul, when you think about it.

I have recently had occasion to witness many kindnesses from a number of people, but also have been a little disappointed to see a few instances of unkind behavior that I have to admit have taken me back a bit. I say "taken back" because some of the unkindness has been from sources that have been so kind to me, personally, in the past. But that's okay, because I have faith in them that they will return to their "roots" and will go back to the kind people that they truly are. I say it's "okay" because we all have strong feelings on things, and sometimes those strong feeling lead us to say unkind things that we wish we hadn't. And since I have been guilty of this very behavior on more occasions than I would like to admit, I guess it wouldn't hurt me any to realize that they are human, too.

The passage in Ruth discusses a situation where Ruth, a foreigner, was shown unusual kindness by a number of people even though she was an outsider. She and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were quick to recognize that the source of the people's receptive attitude towards her was a direct result of the kindness of God. In a like manner, the passage in Proverbs talks about the virtuous woman who was careful to pass along kindness to others, even when she was teaching them. Again, the implication is that these virtues were a direct result of her being a follower of God. The passage in Micah reveals that kindness is not just a pleasant thing to possess, but it is an absolute and non-negotiable requirement that is placed upon us by God Himself.

And then that famous passage in Ephesians that we love so well: The fruit of the Spirit, among many other things, is kindness! 

And maybe that is the reason that I love this little town so much: it's because it has such a big heart. And the reason for this, -the only possible explanation - is that there are so many people who do have the Spirit of the Lord within them. And that Spirit is like a seed within us that can only yield such delightful fruits as kindness. 

And kindness, this beautiful fruit of the Sprit, refreshes the soul, does it not?