Kindness is Given Quietly
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to fully understand the freedom I have through faith in Christ. Amen
READ:
“David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “At your service,” he replied. The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
So, King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So, Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.” 2 Samuel 9:1-3, 5-7, 10-11 (NIV)
REFLECT:
This story of David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth has always resonated with me because our grandson has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and has restricted use of his left leg and no use of his left arm and hand. He has had the opportunity to participate in sports because of a program sponsored by the Greater Kansas City “Y” and the opportunity to meet many professional athletes who give of their time to individuals with special needs. Through special training programs he has received job coaching and guidance for how to work. Through programs sponsored by Children’s Mercy and K.U. Med he has received special care that his parents could not have afforded on their own. This is only a sample of how his quality of life has been improved.
The effort of many individuals, who we will never know or meet, made my grandson’s, and many other youngsters with special needs, lives better. It demonstrates that for kindness to be effective it does not need recognition.
APPLY:
There is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from quietly giving to organizations and individuals to make their quality of life better. Wichita has many opportunities to be generous of both time and money. If you are not already involved in serving, check with the church office about opportunities to serve quietly in Wichita.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Loving father,
Thank you for calling us to a spirit of kindness and gentleness.
In a world where the loudest and the angriest take up all the air,
you've commanded us to lead out with a gentle spirit of love.
This does not mean we are to sit back and remain complacent,
rather it means it calls us to servant leadership that will speak for itself.
Teach us to be humble, full of warmth and Christlike tenderness as we walk through life.
Through your spirit, lead us to move in compassion.
Amen.