Simple Acts of Kindness

"Steve Sjogren wrote a book called Conspiracy of Kindness. He started a church in Cincinnati, Ohio, that has grown rapidly to an average attendance of 7,500 in just fifteen years. Their motto is, ‘Small things done with great love are changing the world’. They carry out random acts of kindness like paying for a stranger’s coffee, or writing a ‘thank you’ note to a shop assistant. They have discovered the power and impact of ‘showing God’s love in practical ways’.

As people tap into their own generous human spirit and share kindness with one another, they discover for themselves the power of kindness to effect positive change, both in their lives and in the lives of people around them. When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished, and people are inspired to pass kindness on.

Psalm 70:1-5

Trust in the kindness of God

God is kind. He loves you. Whatever your needs are today, you can cry out to him and he will be your help and deliverer.

David prays, ‘God! Please hurry to my rescue! God, come quickly to my side!’ (v.1, MSG). He goes on, ‘Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay’ (v.5). As he cries out, he remembers God’s kindness to him in the past.

As I look back at this passage in my Bible and see cries for help that I have written down beside it over several years, I pray:

Thank you, Lord, so much for your kindness and love. Thank you for the ways that you have heard my cries for help. Thank you for those prayers that you have already answered and for those for which I am still waiting, knowing that you hear my prayers. Today, I want to add the following prayers ..."

1. Thank You for showing what kindness really means. Thank You for hearing my prayers.

2. Temple run. Indeed, that was the goal. We had so much fun going around, scorched by the heat, haggling with drivers, relaxing in a boat tour, pretending to be locals, and lots of laughing in between. Thank You for the great time!


3. Thank You for reuniting the group once more in this trip. Thank You for Your protection.