Kindness To A Kid

Kindness to a Kid

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

Matthew 19:14

As a child, my experience with adults was oftentimes that they would spend a few minutes with us kids, then move on to more-adult companions and conversations, leaving us to play. My uncle Jimmy was different. He had a love for life and for people, especially kids, like few others my little eyes had seen. He was always glad to see me, seemingly never tired of the silliness of kids. Even though he worked long hours at a paper mill and was often tired, he would always take time to saddle the horses so we kids could go for a ride or to sit in the living room and tell us stories until late into the evening.

Looking back now, I realize the sacrifice it was for him to make time for us. He never made us feel like he didn’t want us around, and he always had time to spend with us. It wasn’t one big thing that he did but just small acts of kindness that added up over the years.

It’s often the little things, rather than the big events, that make the most meaningful memories of our lives. My uncle lived out Jesus’ teaching about how children are to be cherished. Uncle Jimmy, whether he knew it or not, consistently showed up in this little girl’s life and made her feel like he had time for her and that she mattered. Looking back as an adult, I realize that his simple kindness formed one of the most meaningful relationships in my childhood. He didn’t make any grand gestures. He just continued to show up, year after year.

Looking back on your life, who had a big impact on you? Whose words or actions made all the difference to you? Was it something big that they did, or was it little things over time? Remembering how we have been treated can give us insight into how to treat those around us today.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Give some extra attention to a child in your life.