Childlike Kindness - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

Childlike Kindness

The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him. . . . Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 18:1-4

My daughter had a friend in her class last year who has Down syndrome and was sick a lot during the school year. Many nights when we would ask the kids what they’d like to pray for, Jasmine would bring up her sweet friend who missed school so often.

This past summer, we ran into Jasmine’s friend and her aide, who was with her daily at the splash pad. The aide came over to me and Jasmine with a huge smile on her face and told me what a blessing Jasmine had been, not only to the little girl in her class but also to the aide. Jasmine, unbeknownst to us, had made cards and written notes of encouragement throughout the year to her friend and to the aide, while also making sure to include the girl in classroom activities. This had touched the woman so deeply that she glowed as she talked about Jasmine’s kindness. I watched as Jasmine’s friend shyly smiled at her.

Later I asked Jasmine what caused her to befriend the girl in her class. She told me she felt sad that some of the other kids wouldn’t include her, and she wanted to make sure this girl knew she had a friend. I couldn’t have been more proud.

Including those who are different from us is important at any age. Finding commonalities even when faced with our differences is critical when showing kindness to others. Being aware of how we ourselves would like to be treated should be paramount when deciding whether to include another or extend a hand of friendship. As Scripture tells us, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Find a way to extend kindness toward someone who, on the surface, may appear to be different from you.