Lovingkindness

I love this word “lovingkindness”. I think what I really like is that it combines what can be an abstract term (love) with a concrete one (kindness). When one talks about love, one is usually giving voice to positive feelings towards  someone. That’s great, but I like the connection of this ethereal feeling with the down-to-earth realness of kindness. 

When we think of that word “kindness” we think of an action, be it ever so small. It’s like we take those loving feelings and are moved to demonstrate them. Make them tangible. Which brings to mind Psalm 136, where the psalmist lists the many things God has done for His people and each example is followed by the refrain, “for His lovingkindness endures forever.”

I have been the recipient of lovingkindness during this odd time of separation from my friends. Friends have reached out to check on how I am doing or just to say hello. I welcome these kindnesses. I don’t feel so alone; I don’t feel like I have to figure this out by myself.This is what the psalmist had to say about lovingkindness: 

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,       

My lips shall praise You.         

Thus I will bless You while I live;         

I will lift up my hands in Your name. 

Ps 63:3-4

That’s saying a lot. God’s lovingkindness is better than life. In fact, when we receive His lovingkindness, it fills our life with goodness that spills over. God loves you and me. And because of His love, He demonstrates kindness in both big and small ways. 

Have you noticed some of His demonstrated love to you in a kind gesture or gift, a kind word or action? I pray that we are recipients of God’s lovingkindness, and that those demonstrations of love would lighten the load of this challenging time we find ourselves in. Have you been reaching out to someone in a big or small way? Thank you for making things better for others. The Lord bless you for your demonstration of the lovingkindness of God. Keep up the good work.

~Rosalind Hervey