Kindness Creates Kindness
Those of you who have been following my blog know I love animals. When moving to Iran that did not change. I had this sheep that I kept in the yard and it became my pet as all my animals seem to do. For one reason or another it became a problem for others in the village. In the end it came down to what I thought were two choices, give the sheep away or just keep it and alienate half the village.
As is often the case there is a third option. It felt very harsh, but something inside me said it was the right thing to do. By this time, I was a follower of Jesus. Alienating half the village was not the solution. I decided to butcher the sheep and divide it up among as many of the villagers as I could. That choice left quite an impression in the village.
Our choices and actions matter. When we don’t respond in kind but choose to act in a totally different way it speaks louder than words. When wronged and we forgive it creates an atmosphere of forgiveness. Acting with an attitude of generosity, trust, faith, love, and gentleness sets an example for others to follow.
Father today I will be tempted to be selfish, unloving, harsh, or to lack trust and faith. Help me to imitate Jesus today!
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 NIV
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