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Your Question:
What's the best way to show kindness to those around us without expecting anything in return?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the impact that kindness can have on people's lives. It's not just about doing good deeds, but about showing love and compassion to those around us. One way to show kindness without expecting anything in return is to simply be present for others. When my children were young, they would often help our elderly neighbors with yard work or play music for them. These small acts of kindness brought so much joy to those who received them, and it taught my children the value of putting others before themselves. I believe that kindness is often a choice, and it requires us to put on a friendly manner even when we're not feeling particularly friendly. As the passage suggests, "the best thing you can do, very often, is to put on a friendly manner and behave as if you were a nicer person than you actually are." This can be as simple as smiling at someone or offering a kind word. When we do this, we often find that our feelings begin to match our actions, and we become more genuinely friendly. As a parent, I've also seen the importance of teaching children to show kindness to others. It's not just about doing good deeds, but about training them to value others above themselves. This can be as simple as teaching them to say "please" and "thank you," or to show interest in others' lives. By modeling kindness and teaching our children to do the same, we can create a culture of love and compassion that extends far beyond our own families.
Sources:
mere christianity
c s lewis
raising kids to follow christ
lee ann mancini
systematic theology
wayne grudem
raising passionate jesus followers
phil diane comer
the war on children
john macarthur
true sexual morality
daniel heimbach
addictions a banquet in the grave
edward t welch
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