"Seven years old. Seven. That's how old I was when I came up on the base of the position you were playing and you said, "Wow! You have BEAUTIFUL eyes." You couldn't possibly have known. There's no way. It was a sweet compliment, and to you, it was nothing life changing. Nothing you'd even remember. But to a little girl who didn't feel very good about herself, it meant EVERYTHING. It meant the world."

-Alicia Burns

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This is a true testimony how kindness changed the life of a seven year old. So much so, that thirty years later, when our paths crossed again, this was the first thing that came to her mind in our time together. It's hard to put into words the feelings that I experienced hearing this from my friend Alicia. One simple, unintentional, act of kindness impacted her for the rest of her life.  

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When I think about kindness, I think Jesus. His selflessness and kind heart was demonstrated so many times throughout the Bible. He healed the sick, multiplied bread and fish to feed thousands, forgave sins and sought the lost.  While I as a human, do not have the ability to physically heal the sick through my touch or to miraculously multiply food, I do have the ability to seek the lost and show them the same pure kindness that Jesus shows each of us every single day.  Ephesians 4:32 says "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 
 

I pray daily that God uses me as a vessel to build His Kingdom in whatever way he sees fit.  I beg each day to be more like Jesus. I have come to realize that I have had that power within me the entire time. I can and will consciously choose each day to go out of my way to be kind. I am not talking about a little bit kind, I'm talking about kindness that leaves someone feeling nostalgic, uplifted and hopeful.

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Kindness that is contagious. Kindness that leaves such a mark on someone that in turn, they want to spread it too.  2 Peter 1:5-8 says, "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control: and to self -control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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This world is filled with tragedy and despair, and I have the power in me to make a simple choice that can ultimately be life changing. How cool is that? I REALLY can be more like Jesus! Everyone, including myself is fighting a battle that we know nothing about. I am going to let Jesus' light shine through me. He never put a limit on His kindness or generosity, and I won't either. Please join me in this movement. We can make a difference.