I heard a small part of a podcast the other day and cringed.

The podcaster was interviewing a woman who clearly had very strong opinions about what she was saying.

Strong alone would have been fine, but her words were laced with vitriol and dripping with venom. Her tone was aggressive and combative. It felt like every word was purposefully positioned to start a fight.

I was so grieved by how she was communicating that I wouldn’t have been able to listen to what she was trying to say (even if I’d wanted to).

She was a stark contrast from the woman described in Proverbs 31.

“She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (vs. 26 NASB)

Kindness.

It’s defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Something the world could use more of.

It’s also the very attribute that God employs to turn us to Himself.

He extends kindness as He beckons us to exchange our hearts of stone for hearts of flesh; to come out of our darkness and into the light; to cast off our shackles of despair and embrace eternal hope.

“…do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NASB)

Jesus exemplified God’s kindness beautifully as He addressed the woman caught in adultery in John 8.

When a group of religious leaders dragged her into the midst of a crowded town square and publicly hurled legal accusations and shameful rhetoric against her, Jesus offered this woman kindness in the form of forgiveness with zero condemnation.

He didn’t join in with the group tongue-lashing. He didn’t chastise her into behavior modification. He didn’t push her away with angry, harsh, or derogatory words.

He extended kindness and it was that kindness that drew this woman to surrender her old life for a new one.

To think differently; to act differently; to live differently.

In a world where kindness seems to be in short supply and urgently needed in such great demand, I pray that we – those who call ourselves disciples of the King – would exude extravagant kindness towards others.

The life-changing kindness that has been lavished upon us by our God.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!