A Quiet Kindness in a Cluttered World
Friday’s Verses:
From 1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
We continue our devotional theme, “The Greatest Mystery: Uncovering Forgiveness.” Today, our theme is noticing small acts of kindness in a world that feels “cluttered.”
The world can feel noisy. It’s loud with requests and calls for attention. Buzzing with distractions and vying interests. It’s easy to walk through your day without ever noticing anything.
And then…
You notice someone holding the door open for someone just a second too long.
You overhear someone say something encouraging when no one asked.
You see someone exercise patience when they easily could’ve gotten angry.
Acts of kindness are easy to overlook. They aren’t flashy. They don’t get the retweets.
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah is desperately searching for God. And when God shows up, He’s not in the wind, earthquake, or fire. He comes in a gentle whisper. Small. Quiet. Simple.
Kindness often shows up this way, too.
Those small gestures of love aren’t coincidences or background noise. They are evidence of God still at work in this world. These acts of kindness clear away the brush in our busy lives, and allow us to see grace at work again.
When we notice them, it changes us. We slow down. We have less critical hearts. We remember that goodness is still at work, even when life feels cluttered or hectic.
Even more than that, it beckons us to join in.
You don’t have to do something big today. Don’t worry about fixing everything that’s broken. Simply notice. Be aware. And when you see an act of kindness, join in. Offer someone a small act of kindness in return. Love that nobody asked you to give could change more than you know.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Almighty God, please give me eyes to notice the small things in this world. Open my eyes and help me to see the acts of kindness all around. Allow me to know You are with me, not only in the flashy and in the storm, but also in the gentle and subtle moments of life. And when I see beauty and kindness in this world, give me the bravery to pay it forward. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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