Merriam-Webster defines the adjective kind as: : “having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others : wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others.”

I love that this definition uses the words having, showing, wanting, liking.

Having — the desire to help others is present; it doesn’t need to be generated

Showing — kindness takes action

Wanting — when the need or the opportunity presents itself, the longing to be a part of the solution jumps to the forefront

Liking — it doesn’t need to be forced; it’s enjoyable

For some reason, this has been a tough week for me personally—trust me, being a grown up is not all they cracked it up to be!—and the evil ick [for those new to this blog, that’s my term for the devil since I generally can’t even stand to give him any space by typing his name] has been at work on my heart, mind, expectations, desires, and thoughts.

But God is greater.

As part of my God-and-I-Time this morning, I chose to do a Praise Walk [after reading this, you can download the free, brief, explanatory e-book here]. In a nutshell, I go through the alphabet and focus on a name, character quality, or action of God. When I came to “K,” I used the word kind, and the Lord stopped me there with a simple question in return:

“But Brenda, are YOU kind?”

Stick with me. This really does all fit together!

When I looked back on my week (which was my first problem—I’m a look forward kind o’ gal, remember?), I saw MY problems, MY disappointments, MY thwarted plans, MY unmet expectations. Are we sensing a problem with my focus here?

When I pondered the kindness of my Lord, I was quickly reminded that it’s sooooooo not about me.

God loved.

Christ came.

Christ died.

God forgives.

God gives.

It’s all about having an outward focus.

No, I’m not saying that we neglect ourselves or think that we have no value (hello, God placed value on each of us when He offered for His Son to pay the incomprehensible debt we owe for the sins that separated us from Him). But His exemplary actions demonstrate that the kindness we show is the natural outpouring of looking beyond our own small worlds. As we see needs or opportunities, we have and show a desire to meed that need or utilize that opportunity. We want to do good, and we like to bring happiness to others.

So today, I’m using my weekly “day off” and my time out of the house to show kindness. Some things I’ll tell about later, in an effort to encourage others with ways that they can do the same; others, I’ll just do because I like doing them!

But one thing is certain, my outward actions will come from an outward focus created by an upward look.

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