Acts of Kindness

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-15

Katie browsed through the toys at the church’s huge indoor sale while her mom sorted through stacks of books. “Isn’t it great that all the proceeds go toward the youth group mission trip?” she overheard her mom say to one of her friends who was volunteering at the sale.

Then Katie saw it—an adorable grey-and-white-striped kitten that could move

and meow and everything! She ran to her mom. “Mom! I found the toy I want to spend my money on. It’s so cute!”

Mom smiled. “Well, go get it!”

Katie bounded back over to the toy table, then stopped short. Her face crumpled in dismay as she saw a woman pick up the kitten and place it into her brimming basket of items. Katie was heartbroken. But then she remembered that the whole point of the sale was to raise money to help tell others about Jesus. I can be kind instead of angry at that woman, she thought. Even though she took the toy I really want.

Katie walked up to the woman. “Do you know how that kitten works?” she asked politely. She proceeded to show the woman how to press the kitten’s nose to make it meow and how to get it to move.

“Where’s your toy, honey?” Mom asked when Katie came walking back.

A tear trickled down Katie’s cheek. “When I went back to get it, some lady was putting it in her basket.”

“I’m sorry, Katie. Perhaps she’s buying it for a little girl who needs it.”

A few minutes later, the woman who bought the kitty toy walked up to Katie. She whispered something in her ear and handed her a bag. A smile lit Katie’s face. “Thank you!” she exclaimed as the woman waved and walked away.

“What’s in the bag?” Mom asked curiously.

Katie lifted the treasured kitty toy out of the bag. “She told me she could tell I wanted this toy when I came up to her and that she was touched by the kindness I showed her in letting her have it instead. She said she wanted me to have it as a reminder to keep showing others the kindness of Jesus.”

Mom smiled. “What a kind thing for her to do.” • Savannah Coleman

How About You?

Can you think of a time when someone was kind to you? Maybe it was a person you knew, or even someone you didn’t know. How did it make you feel? When we put others before ourselves, we help them see what Jesus is like. He showed us the ultimate kindness in becoming human and dying for our sins. How can you show someone His kindness in your actions today?

Today’s Key Verse:
1 John 13:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Show God’s kindness to others