"KINDNESS"

Good Evening to All from Hot Springs, Arkansas!
First off, please forgive this post. I am having a lot of problems with my laptop. I will try and use hubby's tomorrow and see if it works better. To the right is an example of kindness I couldn't resist. Even Jesus said "and a little child shall lead them". I don't understand why the picture is of such poor quality. I have tried several pictures and they have all turned out fuzzy, so I'm wondering if it isn't my computer.

We arrived here last night and hubby is already discouraged. It seems that people cannot get on campgrounds at the State Parks without a reservation! According to one of the men there, he said people usually start reserving in January for the summer. Needless to say, we are out of luck, at least for the ones around here. We got into an RV park within driving distance, but that's not what hubby wanted. I am going into town tomorrow to get my first ever day spa experience. I have always heard about the "healing properties of the "hot springs" so I'm going to find out. Monday we will head out to Lake Dardenell, where hubby was able to get us a spot reserved for a week. It isn't right on the water, but with everything I've been hearing about the weather I'd just as soon NOT be right on the water. (shhhh! don't tell hubby I said that! LOL!) He would like it if he just had to walk out the door of the trailer and right into the lake! Well, if we ever get situated enough, I will take some pictures. I don't think Dardenell has Internet capabilities, so it may be a week or two before I am able to get back on here after tomorrow. I have no idea where we are headed after Lake Dardenell.

Anyway, I thought I would get in one more Bible Seed before I can't post for a while. As you can probably guess, the subject is "Kindness".

Today's Seed: "May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains". 2Timothy 1:16

In the Message Bible, Paul says, "I'm sure you know by now that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. But God bless Onesiphorus and his family! Many's the time I've been refreshed in that house and he wasn't embarrassed a bit that I was in jail.

When driving through a toll booth, several people discovered that the person ahead of them had paid their fee. Another person answered the doorbell only to find that a kind person had left a box of cookies on the doorstep. What a great feeling when someone is kind.

Onesiphorus exhibited kindness to Paul and was like a breath of fresh air when he came to visit him in prison. Kindness is refreshing in times of trouble. Paul was equally impressed that Onesiphorus was not ashamed that Paul was in jail. He came to see him anyway. His attention and kindness encouraged Paul.

Kindness can be as simple as a smile. In fact, most smiles are started by another smile. Missionaries tell how they can win the confidence of people with smiles even when they can't speak the language. They have learned the importance of a simple act of kindness like a smile. Kindness is also caring about others before we consider ourselves,m making an effort when it's not convenient, and looking for a chance to do good.

This seed is part of a letter from Paul to Timothy, who was a young minister. He reminded Timothy of the qualities that Timothy needed to become a great preacher and pastor. When he mentioned the kindness of Onesiphorus, Paul showed Timothy kindness by example. When we see others being kind, it is an encouragement for us to develop kindness in our lives.


Dig Deeper: The Greek word for "refreshed" is anapsucho, which means to cool off, in the heat of trouble, kindness is like a cool breeze.

Background Bulb: Paul was in jail because he had preached the gospel. The authorities didn't want him to continue. It must have seemed to Paul that everyone was against him, but Onesiphorus wouldn't give up on Paul. In verse 17 we are told that Onesiphorus searched everywhere to find Paul and came often to the jail. It wasn't the first time that Onesiphorus was kind to Paul. He had also helped him in Ephesus. The greatest kindness is repeated day after day even in the worst situations.

Sprout & Scatter: Kindness is not kind unless it is expressed. If we are going to be kind, we must start by looking for chances to be kind. The opportunities are not hard to find. Help someone in the grocery store to reach an item. Call an elderly friend. Take a meal to a working mom. Buy a candy bar for a friend (unless she is on a diet). Mend or fix something. From taking the grocery cart back to the store to baking a special treat for your family, look for chances to be kind.


Think about it: How has someone been kind to you? What kind thing can you do today?


Prayer Pot: Lord, give me an opportunity today to be kind to . . . (Insert your own thoughts).

Take-Away Idea: Kindness makes you feel good whether it is done for you or by you.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!