A Kindness During COVID
In these times, kindness is needed as never before.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and yeah, it’s August and people are out and about, but I have been told to stay at home by doctors as much as possible because of coronavirus. But even with all this sequestering, it’s given me and Ken a chance to make much of whatever small opportunities God gives us. Especially when it comes to giving the Gospel. Up until recently, while Ken and I both were sheltering in place due to COVID–19, my husband liked to, he liked to keep his eye out for the mailman. If Francisco had a package to deliver to our door – and he was donning a mask, of course – my husband would be right there with an ice cold can of Coca-Cola. He’d place the can out on the brick walkway leading to our door, while our mailman set down the package 6 feet away. Ken would back off, while Francisco reached for the can of Coke.
And while he did, my husband loved to talk freely with him about Jesus; he likes to do what Jesus would do on a hot California day – offer a kind word, a smile, and a frosty, refreshing drink. Social distancing made it awkward, but our mailman now has a better idea of who the God of the Bible is, all because of Ken Tada’s words of witness backed up by just a little human kindness.
And let me say something about kindness. For one thing, it’s listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Now, right there that God holds our kind acts in high regard, relegating them even as an overflow of a Spirit-filled life. Kindnesses are acts, actions, whether great or small, planned or spontaneous – a kindness is an act which declares that “God is good.” And when a follower of Jesus does a kind act for a neighbor or an acquaintance, it’s God’s way of showing that person how good he is, how caring and kind. And the reason we Christians show kindness, is because we want to behave toward others as God has behaved toward us.
Proverbs 20:28 describes the qualities God wants in a leader, and this is what it says; it says, “Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.” Yep, my husband’s leading the way with his random acts of kindness, whether to the postman, the electric meter guy, to the Amazon package guy or the UPS truck driver. They all get a thumbs-up, a thank you, a “Joni’s Story” Gospel tract, and a fresh-from-the-fridge drink. And my husband’s preferred drink is Coca-Cola; my apologies to all of you listeners who are purists who would prefer he’d offer fruit juice or cold water. But what can I say, it’s my husband’s preference.
You know, the new normal – and we’re still figuring it out, aren’t we? – in our communities it really can be frustrating. It can be a creator of awkward distances between us and the people with whom we normally connect. But as Christians, we can change that! Today, find a way to speak of Jesus, while adorning your words with an act of kindness. Perhaps an uplifting note, a budding flower, or an iced-cold drink. To show Christ is to always show others kindness. Hey, go to joniradio.org and see a photo I just posted of my husband Ken showing his kindness to Francisco, our mailman. And drop my husband a note of congratulations. That’s at joniradio.org. Again, encourage my husband, would you? And encourage each other. Tell me about it at joniradio.org.
And one more thing – we here at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you in your troubles. So, share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends
Finding God in Hidden Places
Joni invites you to join her as she explores the presence of a holy God in hidden places.
Words of encouragement, comfort, and insight leave the soul satisfied and longing to be closer to a loving Father, who often shows up when least expected.
