{"id":2973,"date":"2015-08-09T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2015-08-09T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=2973"},"modified":"2015-08-10T12:30:28","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T17:30:28","slug":"choose-to-show-loving-kindness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=2973","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Show Loving Kindness"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Year of Choices…<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren from Barbara\u2019s Banter at www.barbdahlgren.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Loving<\/a>We should all strive to be kind but showing loving kindness goes one step farther.\u00a0 Loving kindness requires us to give just a little bit more to others.<\/p>\n

A little girl was once asked to tell the difference between kindness and loving kindness.\u00a0 She replied, \u201cWhen I ask my mom for a piece of toast with butter on it and she gives it to me \u2013 that\u2019s kindness. \u00a0If she puts a little jam on it \u2013 that\u2019s loving kindness.\u201d\u00a0 I heard that story years ago and have never forgotten it.<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t that the way God is with us?\u00a0 He continually demonstrates his loving kindness to us through His blessings.\u00a0 But God doesn\u2019t just give us blessings; He gives us blessings with a little \u201cjam\u201d on top.\u00a0 God doesn\u2019t just want us to have life; He wants us to have it abundantly.\u00a0 (John 10:10)<\/p>\n

Micah uses the term \u201cloving kindness\u201d when giving instruction to God\u2019s people.\u00a0 He explains that animal sacrifices or finest ointments are not what really please God.\u00a0 God want us \u201cto do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.\u201d\u00a0 (Micah 6:8)\u00a0 The phrase \u201clove mercy\u201d is sometimes translated into \u201clove kindness\u201d because it is the Hebrew word \u201cchesed\u201d which means \u201cloving kindness.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cChesed\u201d is more precisely translated \u201cto love with the mercy of God.\u201d\u00a0 So we are to try to love others patterned after God\u2019s love for us.\u00a0 God is our role model.<\/p>\n

The word for “loving kindness” doesn\u2019t really appear in the New Testament but seems to be embodied in the word \u201cchrestotes\u201d which adds the dimension of goodness, gentleness and brotherly love.\u00a0 It\u2019s that little something extra that lets others know we are followers of Jesus. (John 13:31-35)\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s why Paul told the Ephesians to be kind and tenderhearted to one another.\u00a0 (Ephesians 4:32)<\/p>\n

Loving kindness goes a step farther than kindness.\u00a0 It\u2019s what makes us go the extra mile. (Matthew 5:41)\u00a0 How does showing loving kindness manifest itself in our everyday lives?<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a little illustration: \u00a0Christ tells us that those who give a cup of cold water to little ones are blessed.\u00a0 (Matthew 10:42).\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve often wondered why he makes a point of saying the water is cold.\u00a0 Room temperature water can quench a thirst just as much as \u201ccold\u201d water.\u00a0 I can\u2019t help but think that the water being cold is that little bit of extra love that makes it all the more special.<\/p>\n

Loving kindness is not just being polite and mannerly.\u00a0 It\u2019s putting a little extra love into everything we do.\u00a0 It\u2019s this type of love in action that impacts those around us.\u00a0 People we come in contact with need to see Jesus in our lives.<\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 The greatest act of loving kindness is when Jesus gave His life for our sins.\u00a0 He did it willingly.\u00a0 His motive was not to get something from us, but to give us something.<\/p>\n

Of course this type of sacrifice is not what God requires of us.\u00a0 Micah 6:8 tells us what we can do to really please God:\u00a0 \u201c\u2026do justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.\u201d\u00a0 God shows loving kindness to us and wants us to show it to others.\u00a0 Sometimes a little loving kindness is just bringing a cold glass of water to a thirsty person.<\/p>\n

\"Never<\/a><\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n