I gave up making New Year’s resolutions long ago, and this year is no different. Occasionally, God impresses me with a particular Bible verse or word to adopt for a year. This year, it’s a word.

 

Kindness.

 

I’ve realized that I often desire kindness but rarely offer kindness to others. The saying, “The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one,” keeps rolling around in my head.

 

One morning, I found myself in line at the Starbucks drive-thru, not in the best frame of mind. When I reached the window, I was ready to pay for my order, but the barista had a different plan. With a warm smile, she informed me that the customer in front of me had already paid for my drink, wishing me a wonderful day. I drove away with a smile and a renewed sense of hope, all because of the kindness of a stranger.

 

When I read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, I highlighted a passage where the school principal, Mr. Tushman, gave a graduation speech. He used a quote by J.M. Barrie, which was my introduction to the phrase “kinder than is necessary.” The words of this speech seem very timely for today.

 

“In The Little White Bird, J.M. Barrie writes, ‘Shall we make a new rule of life…always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?’ Here, Mr. Tushman looked up at the audience. “Kinder than is necessary,” he repeated. “What a marvelous line, isn’t it? Kinder than is necessary. Because it’s not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed…We carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind but the very choice of kindness…Children, what I want to impart to you today is an understanding of the value of that simple thing called kindness…In the future you make for yourselves, anything is possible. If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary…And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.”

 

Somedays, I feel that our world has lost the art of kindness. Recently, a friend recounted an experience at a local grocery store. As she walked through the store with her two young children, somehow, she slipped and slammed flat on her back. As she lay there dazed and recovering, with one child at her side crying, not one person stopped to ask if she was okay or offered to help.

 

What a sad commentary on our society that kindness seems to be the exception, not the rule. So often, we bury our faces in our cell phones in order to ignore those around us as we walk past. Small acts of kindness can significantly impact a person’s day. Helping a mom struggling with a toddler carry her groceries to the car. Opening the door for someone and wishing them a good day. These things aren’t difficult or time-consuming, yet they make a difference in someone’s life.

 

In Matthew 5:41-42, Jesus spoke to his disciples about how to treat others. I love the Message version of these verses.

 

“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.” 

 

“Live generously.”

 

“Practice the servant life.”

 

In other words, choose to be kinder than is necessary. Remember that kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

 

Choose the challenging, more difficult path of kindness. Be counter-cultural, and be kinder than necessary.

 

Be the face of God in a dark world that needs the light of kindness. Kindness is a beacon of hope that points others to the cross, where they can find the truth of Jesus.

 

Let’s all commit to being kinder than necessary in 2025.