Romans 12:8 – If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (NLT)

Kindness takes only a moment. Often, kindness does not involve work, or money, or even a huge commitment to bettering the world.

So why do we not engage in this simple act of beauty more often? I don't know.

Kindness is picking up the phone and calling a friend or a relative who is sad, lonely, or depressed, and saying cheerfully, "I am thinking good thoughts about you," and then simply listening to them.

Kindness is the cost of a pretty card and a stamp to send a quick note of encouragement to a person that we have not thought of in a while.

Kindness is showing up to a church or charity function and uttering those magical words, "How can I help?"

Kindness is stopping on the street when we see someone in distress and saying, "May I help you in any way?"

Kindness is the price of a bunch of flowers, and a surprise half-hour visit to an elderly or ill person.

Kindness is placing a fresh, nutritious sandwich into the cap of a person on the street, who is begging for money.

Each of us has the capacity to come up with thousands of ideas of ways by which we can simply, easily, and inexpensively brighten someone's day. Remember that God brightens every one of our days by giving us food, health, love, and the very capacity to share our good fortune. But it is up to each of us to worship God by acting on that impulse to share.

Prayer: Dear God, open our eyes to the endless possibilities in front of us to make our corner of the world a better place. Give us the strength we need to carry our own burdens even as we help to shoulder the burdens of others. We pray that You will make us a small light in the world, and a force for kindness, goodness, and charity, that we may ever share with others the blessings You have given to us. In Your name. Amen.

While there is joy in receiving, there is greater joy in giving. We are all taught to say "thank you" when we receive something, but what about saying "thank you" when we give something away? And who else is there to thank but the One from whom all bounty flows?

The simple act of giving is a reminder to us that God has given us so much, and that we are privileged to be able to share. When we give a few coins to a street musician or a panhandler, it is a reminder to us that God has given us more money than we need. When we offer a seat to an elderly or handicapped person on the bus, we can remember that God has given us physical strength and health.

When we reach out and hug a person who is sad, it is a moment to remember that God has eased the burdens of our lives. When we spend time with a friend, listening to and being with him or her, we can think how wonderful it is that we have time to spend in this way. When we go to visit a sick person in the hospital, or an elderly relative, we can remember that we have been given the resources to make someone else happy.

When we throw a dinner party, we can think how blessed we are to have the food, time, and happiness to give to others, and how blessed we are to have friends. When we play with our cats or our dogs, we can praise God for giving us a home to share with such delightful creatures. When we offer someone a lift, we can be grateful to God that we are blessed enough to own a car. And when we put money into the collection plate at church, we can say a prayer of thanks that such caring and like-minded Christians have come together to provide a spiritual home for the community.

Prayer: Dearest Lord, teach us to be aware of Your bounty each and every day. Teach us, Lord, that "luck" and "good fortune" are not guides for our lives, but that You are the giver of all blessings. And may we, in return, share with others all the kindness You have given each of us. In Your name we pray. Amen.