At my first real job, way back when, there was a woman named Pat who no matter what the situation was upbeat, positive and encouraging to others. Anyone who knew of her would say the same about her. She was a special person. But, it was not just her uplifting demeanor that made her special, it was more so that she was very kind to others. She always had time for others, regardless of her own deadlines. She always would stop you in the hall and say hello and leave the conversation with “have a great day”. She went out of her way to check in and see how you were doing when she knew that you were up against something hard or a struggle. She would be sure to remember special days like your birthday or anniversary. Pat was special because Pat was kind. Kindness is an outfit of our worKING clothes. Paul says it in Colossians 3:12: “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness…”. Kindness takes work and intentionality. To be kind we must think ahead and approach each day with a convicted spirit and heart to think of others first and ourselves second. We must clear our minds and our busy schedules in our head, to be sure that we are thinking ahead of situations and people so that we offer the first word of kindness in the conversation, before we get off track and forget. Kindness can be practiced and kindness can be learned. Today there is someone in your work place who you know has a heart of kindness and who you would immediately tag with being kind. Watch and listen to them today. They won’t be perfect, no one is, but see the model and learn from them. And then prayerfully submit yourself to becoming kind in your own spirit and behavior. Kindness is part of our working outfit and if we clothe ourselves to the task at hand we will be ready for whatever comes our way.

Reference: Colossians 3:12 (New Living Testament)