LOVE is kind; (I Cor. 15). Kindness brings healing. Henry Drummond, in his book, The Greatest Thing in the World, tells us that love is "active." He asks us to notice "how much of Christ's life was spent in doing kind things -- in merely doing kind things" (6). To be one with Love we must love, and kind words and actions are an element of this Love.
This is the 5th in the mini-series on the healing power of Love -- focus on actively expressing kindness.
It is within our power to deliberately do good to others. It is, in fact, one of the most pleasant things to do. It expresses active, but very gentle, love -- and love heals.
Etymologically, the original denotes, "natural, native, innate," illustrative of the fact that man in God's "image and likeness" (Gen. 1:26) naturally and innately includes and expresses this element of Love -- kindness.
It also carried a sense of "the feeling of relatives for each other," a sentiment Jesus expressed in teaching us to begin prayer, "Our Father..."
Proto-Germanic "kundi '' natural, native" aligned with "kin" shows the development to the present day word, kind. The unfolding of this word or concept passed through, and continues to blend with "benign, compassionate" or "with natural feelings" (c. 1300.)
In earlier blogs I recommend that you keep a gratitude-kindness journal. If you are an early riser with some time, you might journal in the morning. Write 2 things you are grateful for, and three things that you could do today to express kindness. It's also great to track in a few words, kindnesses shown to you. To speak with love, and earlier blog entry, is to speak with kindness.
ACTION STEP. Either in journal, or just for the coming day, note three ways you can and will deliberately do good to someone, or some one of God's creatures as pictured above! Love heals. Love is kind.
Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 6). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
No comments:
Post a Comment