Word Of Kindness
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Among the fruits of the spirit Paul pointed out to the Galatian Christians was kindness. Kindness seems like such a little thing in our lives. I often forget the need to use it, especially with those around me most often. My wife and my office staff see less kindness from me than is good. In the hustle and bustle of the day, it is easy for me to overlook the need to add kindness to my words and actions. But kindness is an important fruit of the spirit – a little thing that can make a big difference in peoples’ lives.
I had been asked to write a letter of recommendation for one of my residents. The resident was seeking a position with a really good group of internists I knew well. It was important I be fair to the group and the resident in my letter of recommendation. I had been impressed with the resident when I worked with her months earlier. She had a sound knowledge base, was responsible, and seemed to have a solid character. I knew I could write a good, solid letter of recommendation. But I knew my friends would be reading carefully to know if this resident was special enough to join their prestigious group.
Just before I was to write the letter, I happened to be following this resident in the hallway on the way to an afternoon clinic. I was impressed that every attending we passed in the hall smiled and spoke graciously to her. She was obviously well thought of by her attendings. Also, I noticed the other residents greeted her warmly as they passed. This was another good sign; and not a surprise.
But what I learned on that walk following her that got her my highest recommendation in the letter was how another group greeted her. Along that long walk, she encountered two members of our housekeeping staff. These ladies greeted this resident warmly by name. And impressively, the resident responded by greeting each of these housekeepers by their names, as well. It was clear to me, that in addition to her other positive traits, she clearly had a good grasp on the fruit of kindness. Her kindness to these housekeepers was a little thing in her life, but said very big things to me about her character.
Lord, give me the fruit of kindness. Help me make kindness a part of my spiritual discipline.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Andrew Thornebrooke on Unsplash
