Being Fruity

I’ll tell you straight up, I’m addicted to kindness. I can’t get enough of it. I’m hooked on dealing it to others. The world needs more of it. Giving kindness doesn’t have to be extravagant. Simple kindness seems to work the best, because it is sincere.

When starting anything new, it takes practice to make it second nature. I read this amazing book by Clare de Graaf, The 10 Second Rule, which stated that you need to live your live using this simple rule every day: “Just do the next thing you’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do. (And do it immediately before you change your mind.)”

If you wait longer than ten seconds, you are more likely not to do it.

He further states, “The Rule doesn’t require you to be absolutely certain an impression is from God before you obey. In fact, I’ve found that the need for certainty is often the enemy of obedience! But, let’s just say this impression wasn’t from God. So what? You’ve still done something good for another human being. How can that not be the will of God? So, The Rule gives you a place to begin again following Jesus, right now – today. And, it’s been the experience of Christians since the time of Jesus that true godly character is forged less by a few big dramatic decisions than the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of simple obedience.”

I read that and got excited! I wanted to give it a try and see the results for myself. Day in and day out, I began to expectantly looking for opportunities. I was actively pursuing, with no expectations of getting anything in return, a chance to test it. I’ll be the the store and get an impression to help someone in line behind me, they might just need an encouraging word, or be engaged in a face to face conversation. Sometimes, if my budget allows, I’ll buy their groceries. No matter the gesture of kindness, they are responsive. If they ask me why, I just say, “I was just doing what I thought Jesus would want me to do for you.” It opens the door for further discussion, or if they are not ready to hear just then, you’ve planted the seed of hope for some other person to harvest.

Just yesterday, I brought peanut butter and jelly up to a neighbor’s house at lunch time, and we had simple sandwiches and conversation. It was a small thing, but was beneficial to us both.

During the season of Lent, you are supposed to give up something for forty days. Even though I am not Catholic, I decided to not give up something, but to just give. So each day for forty days, I looked for opportunities to do something kind. It was fantastic! I had to be aware of my surroundings and what was going on around me, so that I could do what was needed for the situation. With practice, I became better at seeing a need and figuring out what I could do to fulfill it.

Why? Because I get a glow in my soul from the giving too! And when I get to heaven, I want Jesus to be proud of me and say, “Cindi, your time on earth was like Amazon. You were a fulfillment center!”

I also learned that it is not just being kind to strangers. It is harder to practice acts of kindness to family members. Now I am on the lookout do kind things to those close to me, that I love with all my heart. They put up with my crap, so they really do deserve my best too. It just makes good sense.

So I want to be fruity for Jesus. He has given me the gifts to make this happen.

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its various expressions. This love is revealed through:

Joy that overflows,

Peace that subdues,

Patience that endures,

Kindness in action,

A life full of virtue,

Faith that prevails,

Gentleness of heart, and

Strength of spirit.

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”

(Gal. 5:22-23 [TPT])

I am now assured that I have the limitless ability to be fruity with kindness in action, which gives me hope regarding my aforementioned addiction. Isn’t that the coolest thing ever?

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