The Grateful Heart: Worldwide Kindness

Today, November 13, is the World Kindness Day. This day is sponsored by the World Kindness Movement. Dr. Wataru Mori was a Tokyo physician who saw the problems in the world and longed to make a difference. He believed that a "critical mass" of acts of kindness around the world could help to make a "more compassionate and peaceful world." Nearly two decades ago, he convened a series of conferences designed to promote kindness and the "World Kindness Movement" was begun. Now, there are 25 participating nations. 

As part of the World Kindness Movement, a Worldwide day for kindness was established. It is always on November 13. Participants are encouraged to be kind to those around them.

It's an interesting concept, isn't it? I'm grateful for people who are kind and touched by the generosity of spirit that conceived this movement. I wonder, though, if Dr. Mori knew about Ephesians 4:32. "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." 

Had he heard of the Golden Rule? Jesus, in Matthew 7:12, instructed His followers in kindness. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." 

Dr. Mori did not actually start the worldwide kindness movement. That job was accomplished by Jesus. He instructed us to be kind and He expected us to treat others in a good and loving manner.

When I see the discord, strife, fighting, and anger in the world today, I have to wonder what the body of Christ has done about kindness. Are we more concerned about red cups and holiday greetings than being kind to those around us? One day, we will give an account of our lives, and I shudder to think how we will explain the red cup controversy.

For today, let's put down our individual "causes" and pick up the cause of Christ. Let's act like Jesus would have us act, treat others as He would have us treat them, be kind to those who are not.

Let us live sieve-like, so that the love of Christ leaks out to all around us in such a way that they are refreshed by our kindness and drawn to the One who is the source of all goodness and love.

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In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: Maggie: Wanting Eye Drops, Grateful Heart: Superheroes and Missions Conference , The Blessings That Were Not,  Loss of Power, Grateful Heart: Veterans, and Grateful Heart: Laughter

The most read posts of the past week: The Grateful Heart: Orchestration of God

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Want an easy act of kindness? Send a 99 cent e-book to a friend.

Here's the link to The Clay Papers, and here's the link to The Road to Bethlehem (an advent devotional book). 

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#WorldKindnessDay #GoldenRule #JesusChrist #disciple