Clouded Kindness

Though this holiday season might be joyful for you, it might not be for others. We get caught up in frenzy about all of the holiday gifts we need to buy, the holiday decorations, and the holiday foods to make/bake. Unfortunately, we tend to forget those around us. The rush of going out into our fast paced lives causes us to forget about those who are truly in need.

 

I recently saw a show where two brothers and a sister were feuding about letting the sister’s male friend live with them. The male friend was a homeless man who had a couple of disabilities and needed medication. These brothers forgot that they too were once homeless, and needed the help of someone when they were thrown to the streets. The sister was also homeless and this man helped her get back on her feet. So now, she felt it was her turn to help out.

 

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22). Out of the kindness of her heart, she felt the need to give back. The brothers were just looking at the negative side of this man’s life, and not giving him the opportunity to rebuild his life. This homeless man, once owned his own place, helped his mother out and was successful. Unfortunately, he lost it all as his mother suffered on her death bed and passed away. He no longer had a place to live or job since he took care of his mother during her last days. He didn’t expect any of this to happen. He searched for jobs, but struggled to obtain one since he didn’t have a place to live in and clean up. Eventually the brothers realized that they had to give back and allowed their sister and her companion to remain in the household.

At times, we are so stubborn and caught up in our own world that we forget about what others may be going through. Remember that just because someone is smiling and allowing you to feel that they are okay, it doesn’t mean they are. Be moved by the Spirit and allow yourself to be open-minded when you see someone that might need your help. “I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone” (Numbers 11:17). Feel the presence of the Lord, and listen to it. Don’t allow your kindness to be clouded. Be a blessing to others!