1Corinthians 13:4-8 “…. and is kind (caring, gentle and thoughtful)….
Adam Clarke’s Commentary defines the kindness described in this verse as: “kind and obliging to others; it is mild, gentle, and benign; and, if called to suffer, inspires the sufferer with the most amiable sweetness, and the most tender affection.”
“You owe me big time, we are here.” I texted to my daughter when we were in front of the building she was in. I wanted her to realize the inconvenience this placed on me… and her dad.
My husband and I were in our truck… in the pouring rain… at night… and it was cold.
It had been raining all week – in the desert that is severe weather. We have flash floods and the roads are slick as ice when it rains. The streets were not built to withstand precipitation so it is treacherous to go anywhere when we have wet weather. I usually stay home during these times due to the hazards of traveling in such conditions. Needless to say, I was in a grumpy mood.
Our daughter had wanted to go to her teen small group meeting with church that night. I didn’t want to take her. I complained a lot about having to take her. I let her know this was a serious annoyance to me when I drove her there two hours earlier. Yet I took her anyway because I know that being home schooled, her church activities and dance classes are very important to her.
The apartment complex where the small group meets has a security gate that closes at night and there were several cars waiting to get in…. Did I mention it was dark… and cold…And it was raining…? Finally the gates opened and we all funneled in as fast as we could before the gate closed again.
When Mikki jumped into the truck, she tried to tell us about the spiritual truths she had just picked up.
But did I listen? No.
Was I kind? Um…No.
Thoughtful? Oh, no way.
Was I loving? …. I must admit, shamefully, that I did not show Godly love to my sweet daughter. I was not considerate, not agreeable and certainly not accommodating to my little girl because I was ‘put out’ by having to deal with the rain. HOW SAD IS THAT?
Heavenly Father,
please forgive my unkind attitudes
toward my daughter.
You never treat me this way
as you deal with me.
Help me to love her
and others around me
with the type of kindness
You show me every single day
– in rainy weather or not.
