Daily Devotional
Are You Kind to Your Family?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
Galatians 5:22
June 18, 2023
Ponder This
All around you people are hurting. You may say, “I’m not good at helping people when they’re suffering. I just don’t know what to say.” I can appreciate that. Sometimes though, it’s not what you say; it’s just that little act of kindness that means so much. Joyce and I lost our son Phillip to an unexpected crib death. It was such a difficult time and members of our little church came by to see us, to comfort us. I will never forget one deacon that visited us during that time. He didn’t know what to say but just laid his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it and looked into my face. A tear dropped from his eyes. He just looked at me and then turned his face away and went out. That touch, that squeeze, and that look meant more than a sermon would have. It was just an act of kindness. Oh, how we need to learn to be kind.
There are opportunities all around if we’ll just look. Do you know where we need to be kind the most? In our homes. Why is it that we sometimes are the most unkind to those we love, making the most cutting remarks in our homes? The religion that doesn’t begin at home doesn’t begin. There are many marriages and families that could be saved by a little gentleness.
- Who are some people around you that are hurting?
- Who have you been unkind to? How do you need to seek reconciliation and make changes?
Practice This
Ask forgiveness from someone to whom you have been unkind.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
