I heard someone on the radio say this morning that kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. I was struck by the simplicity of this profound statement. Kindness, like common sense, is a flower that does not grow in everyone’s garden. What a shame! Remember back in the 90’s when the trend in vogue was to perform “random acts of kindness?” Why should these acts have been random? Why not habitual acts of kindness? And why did kindness need to be a fad like bell bottoms or hula-hoops or pet rocks?
Kindness should be a fundamental building block to be taught to our children at an early age. It should go hand in hand with teaching a child to walk or speak or to practice good manners. What would our world look like today if every child learned to first be kind? There would be no need for gun control in a world where we practiced kindness first.
Mantle of Integrity
Kindness is a thread to be woven into the mantle of Integrity. The concept of integrity is as a garment to be worn everywhere we go. Kindness should stand out in the weave like a thread of gold. We are never too old to practice kindness, never too young. I believe we should practice kindness to all we meet. We are called to it. Paul instructs us thus in his Epistle to the Colossians.
“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
Also in Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus:
“32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Kindness is a virtue
So, kindness is a virtue to be practiced according to the Bible, not only that, it is an ointment to a tired soul. Kindness has double benefits. It is not only a gift to the recipient but also the practitioner. Kindness relieves one’s heavier burdens of anger and bitterness. It is no fun carrying that stuff around. Be kind. Kindness is habit forming like a drug or Coca-Cola, but this habit is good for you. Besides, who would not rather be known as a nice guy or girl, rather than a nasty, pain in the backside. More flies with honey, you know.
Kindness is a cornerstone of love. Kindness may be interchangeable with compassion, and mercy. All of these are components of the character of Jesus Christ. I pray to be more like Jesus daily; to be able to show the love of Jesus to strangers, friends and family alike. Most days my prayers are answered. Some days, not so much.
Careful what you pack
I used to urge my Boy Scouts, yes, I was a Boy Scout leader, to treat their character as a suitcase. Something in which they would pack away essential 
things to be pulled out and used upon occasion. I would tell them that their suitcase would also be unpacked at the time of their passing. The things that they had packed away would be seen, remembered by others. I would encourage them to fill their suitcase with integrity, kindness, faithfulness, generosity, and respect (for themselves and others). These traits would become the way that they would like to be remembered.
What will your friends and family find in your suitcase? I pray that kindness is prominent amongst your possessions. It is a language that we can all understand.